
Gopyii^htN^. 



COPyRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



HISTORY 



OF 



Woodford County. 



By ROY L. MOORE, A. B. 



A CONCISE HISTORY OF THE SETTLEMENT 
AND GROTVTH OF TVOODFORD COUNTY. 



EUREKA, ILL.! 

^Voor>FORn County Republican. 
1910. 






COPYRIGHTED 
1910 



(g CI.A256004 



PREFACE. 

In the following pages an effort has been made to givci 
in a clear, concise manner the history of the settlement and 
growth of Woodford county. The aim has been to give a 
condensed, yet complete statement of facts in a clear, im- 
prejudiced way. No attempt has been made to eulogize the 
men who have made the county what it has become, altho 
there are many who merit the highest encomiums. 

In the preparation of this volume aid has been received 
from a great number of sources and to all who have so will- 
ingly aided i'n this work, I extend my heartfelt thanks. The 
little volume is presented to the public with the sincere wish 
that it may add to the knowledge of local history among our 
people. Every effort has been made to insure its authen- 
ticity, but in a work of this character it is impossible to 
prevent the creeping in of some mistake. I trust that what- 
ever errors may have occurred in this eff'ort to serve the 
public may be regarded with the same leniency and kind- 
ness as my previous efforts. 

I wish to express my gratitude for the use of half-tones 
to the Minonk News, Bloomington Pantagraph, Mrnonk 
Dispatch, Woodford County Republican, Benson Bee, Meta- 
mora Herald, ElPaso Journal, Geo. W. Nance, of Blooming- 
ton, editor of the history of the Nance family; and Henry 
B. Meek of Kansas City, editor of the history of the Meek 
family. 

Respectfully, 

ROY L. MOORE. 




ROY L. MOORE. 



INDEX. 

CHAPTER I. 

Early Indian Population — Explorations by the Whites — 
La Salle Floats Down the Illinois — Territories Organ- 
ized — Division of Illinois into Counties — Woodford 
County Created — The First Settlement — Spring Bay, 
Metamora, Walnut Grove, Panther and White Oak 
Groves Settled — The First Store Opened . . .Pages 9-16 

CHAPTER II. 

Relics of Indian Life — Spring Bay Indian Graveyard — 
Settlement of Spring Bay Township — Mills Erected — 
Town Founded — Township Organized — Partridge Town- 
ship Settled — Religious Services Held — ^Partridge 
Drainage District — Worth Settled — The First Church 
Erected at Lourds Pages 17-24 

CHAPTER III. 

Settlement of Metamora — Hanover Established — Under- 
ground Railway — J. A. Ranney Once Conductor — 
Joseph Morse Once Arrested for Aiding Fugitive Slave 
— Schools of the Township Pages 25-33 

CHAPTER IV. 

Walnut Grove Settled — -Varsailles Established — First Rail- 
road Thru Township — Eureka and Cruger Founded — 
Cruger Township Organized — Schools Founded — Caze- 
novia Settlers — Township Organized and Named — First 
Postoffice Established — Settlement of ElPaso Township 
— ElPaso and Kappa Founded — Township Organized 
Pages 34-45 

(V) 



vi INDEX 

CHAPTER V. 

History of City and Township of Minonk Coincident — ■■ 
Panola and Minonk Form one Precinct — Township 
Divided — Settlement of Roanoke — First Schools of 
Township — -Township Organized and Named — Linn 
Township Settled — Churches Organized — Panola Settled 
— Kansas and Montgomery Established — Religious a'lid 

Educational Pages 4G-6I 

CHAPTER VI. 

Palestine Settled — Religious History — Townshij) Organized 
— Clayton Settlements — Linn and Clayton Conaected 
— First Schools of the Township — Greene Township 
Pioneers — Early Hardships — Township Organized — 

Noted Men from Greene Images 62-75 

CHAPTER VII. 

The Settler's Cabin — Hardships Without — Swamps and 
Sloughs — Prairie Fire — Farm Implements — Ilome- 
Made Clothing — Pioneer Gatherings .... Pages 76-84 

CHAPTER VIII. 

The Early Schools — The First School — Walnut Grove 
Academy Founded — Eureka College Charter-^Puolic 
Schools of To-day — Pioneer Preacher — Church Organ- 
izations — The Oldest Pastor in Point of Service — Sun- 
day Schools — Woodford County Y. W. C. A. Pages 85-9.'> 

CHAPTER IX. 

The County Organizes — First Commissio.iers — First Ses- 
sion of Court — Division into Townships — Supervisors 
and County Officers Pages 96-102 

CHAPTER X. 

County Seat Located at Versailles — Hanover Secures the 
Prize — New Court House Erected — ElPaso Contests for 
County Seat — Eureka and Roanoke Seek to Secure the 
Prize— Elections of 1873-1883-1894— Seat of Justice Re- 
moved to Eureka — New Court House and Jail Erected 
— County Poor Farm Pages 103-114 

CHAPTER XI. 

Roads Laid rn the County — State Road — First Supervisors 
of Roads — Stage Coach — Illinois Central Built — Toledo, 
Peoria and Western Laid Out — Railroads Multiply — 
Telegraph and Telephone — Automobiles Pages 115-121 



INDEX vii 



CHAPTER XII. 

Enlistment in Civil War — History of Woodford County 
Companies — Black Hawk War-Mexican War — Spanish- 
American War Pages 122-133 

CHAPTER XIH. 

Cholera Epidemics— Winter of 1830- '31— Winter of 1836- 
'37— Storms of 1858— Storms of 1875— Other Storms 
Pages 134-138 

CHAPTER XIV 

Early Political Views — Lincoln and Douglas Debate — Logan 
Rally — Campaign of 1888 — Other Elections — List of 
Officers — County Vote for Presidential Ca-ndidates 
Pages 139-148 

CHAPTER XV. 

Milling Interests — Explosion at the Secor Mill — Explosion 
at Panola — Benson Mill — Grain Interests — Banking 
— The Press — Mining — Eureka Canning Factory — j\Ii- 
nonk Produce Company Pages 149-172 

CHAPTER XVI. 

The Early Towns of the County — Bowling Green — Spring 
Bay — Versailles — Metamora — The Old Metamora House 
— St. Mary's Orphanage — Religious Interests of the 
Town Pages 173-184 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Settlers of Slabtown — Farniville — Washburn Settled — Re- 
ligious Interests — ElPaso Founded — Carnegie Library 
— Educational and Religious Interests — Fires — ElPaso 
Fair Pages 185-198 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

Minonk Established — Village Surveyed — Minonk School 
and Churches — Railroads — Incorporated as a City — - 
Benson Surveyed — The Growth of the Town — Churches 
— Roanoke Settled — The First Postmaster — Village In- 
corporated — Roanoke Fires. .......... Pages 199-212 



viii INDEX 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Eureka Founded — Origin of Name — The Industries of the 
Early Period — The Town Incorporated — Churches — 
Town of Cruger Platted — Its Business History — Secor 
Platted in 1857 — Early Comers — Its Business History- 
Churches and Schools — Panola and Its Early Promise 
— Fail to Get a Railroad Crossing — Kappa an Early 
Mail Center — Early Business Prosperity — Ira C. Stone, 
the Oldest Man in the County — Early Settlers — Low 
Point— Its First Location— Saw IMill— Railroad— Tile 
Factory — Cazenovia — Business — School and Churches— 
Woodford a Grain Station in Minonk Townshipj — Good- 
field and Congerville Grain and Business Points in 
Montgomery Township Pages 213-281 

CHAPTER XX. 

Miscellaneous — Old Settlers' Picnic— Old Settlers' Associa- 
tion Organized 1874 — Re-organization 1891 — Deer 
Hunting — Andrew Tomb — Jehu Ilinshaw — Peter Ken- 
nell — James Finley — Shelby M. Cullom — The Brubakers 
— Christopher Roth — F. J. Briggs — Thomas Whorrall — 
The Hammers Family — Woodford County Agricultural 
Association — John Leys — James Shields, Sr. — Allen 
Hart^First Jury in Woodford County — Abraham 
Lincoln — Mrs. Nancy Kirk, the Oldest Woman — The 
Law — Early Attorneys — Medicine — The First Physician 
— Woodford County Medical Association — Historical 
Society Organized 1903 — A Sad Accident — W. E. 
AVyrick Pages 232-248 



T 



CHAPTER I. 

Early Settlements. 

IIE brief si)aii of a century serves to eiiibruee the 
history of the growth and development of Woodford 
county, yet within that comparatively^ short period the vast 
unbroken wilderness has become one of the garden spots of 
Illinois. Prairies over which deer and wolves roamed un- 
molested have become the home of a prosperous, energetic 
farming people. Vast regions, but a few years ago un- 
crossed save by an Indian trail, are now crossed and re- 
crossed by roads of steel that carry, with constantly iuci'.ias- 
ing efficiency, the growing traffic of an energetic population. 
Wide sections that were once unbroken by a tree ar"e dotted 
with groves planted by the hand of man, which add their 
beauty to the grandeur of the scene. Here and there thriv- 
ing towns have risen to contribute their share to the wealth 
and prosperity of a growing country. 

The territory now embraced within the borders of 
Woodford county was once the camping ground of roving 
Indian tribes. The early settlers found here scattered rep- 
resentatives of the Pottawotamies. These were as a rule 
friendly to the whites, altho occasionally some slight dis- 
turl^ance caused a ruptiu-e between them for the time being. 
During the winter of 1830- '31, which was noted for the great 
snow, they proved of great assistance to the settlers. Other 
tribes roamed over this region at an earlier date, among 
which were Foxes and Sacs. North of Woodford county, 
near La Salle, lies Starved Rock where the now famous 
mini made their final stand against their enemies and 

(9) 



10 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY 

were destroyed. These tribes hunted freely over that part 
of Illinois of which Woodford is a part. The western portion 
of the county is particularly rich in relics of an early Indian 
occupation. Along the banks of the Illinois are numerous 
mounds that are thc^ relics of a departed people.. A number 
of these have been opentul and found to contain various 
weapons and oth(^r tokcms of the manner of living ol' our 
predecessors. Near ^Metamora there are evidences oi' thai 
region having been the scene of a fierce battle Ix'tween 
Indian tribes. North of there was the lodge ol' the cliiel' 
Black Partridge, whose name is handed down to us in the 
township of that name. 

This portion of the county lias the honor of being tirst 
chosen ])y the pioneer as a pbice of settlement. The traveler- 
thru tliat region feels that he is on historic groinids. In 
16S0 La Salle, the great French explorer, floated down the 
Illinois and built on the bank of 'the river the Fort Oreve 
C'ouer, now famous in the history of the state. The exact 
location of the fort is in dispute, but the latest claim is that 
made by Dan R. Sheen, the well-known attoi'uey of Peoria, 
who believes it was located on this side of the river on tlie 
farm he now owns in Tazewell county. Be that as it may, 
there is little doubt that the western part of our county was 
visited by the great explorer and his followers. 

The region now embraced in the boundaries of the 
county has belonged at various times to different territories, 
and, since the division of Illinois into counties l)egan, it has 
been a part of a number of dift'erent counties. At the time 
oj' the Revolutionary war, three colonies, Massachusetts, 
Virginia, and Connecticut, claimed possessions in the terri- 
tory now included in Illinois. In 1778 Virginia, which 
claimed the central and southern i)arts of the state, formed 
its possessions, W^oodford together with the rest, into a. 
county called Illinois, named in honor of the tribe of Indians. 
When the territory was organized at a later date this name 
was retained. At that time this portion of the state was an 
unbroken wilderness. The most visionary would have found 
little prospect of future greatness. 



EARTjT SETTLEI\[ENT^. 11 

At the close of the Revolutionary war, these states 
ceded their possessions to the National government, and in 
1787 the region northwest of the Ohio and east of the IMis- 
sissippi, was organized as the Northwest Territory under 
the famous ordinances of 1787. General Arthur St. Olair was 
appointed tirst territorial governor. In 1790 he organized 
a county in the southwest, embracing the historic region 
of Kaskaskia, and named it St. Clair in honor of himself. 
In June of that same year Knox county was organized, and 
included the central and northeastern parts of this state, 
and all of Indiana. Woodford was a part of this vast county. 
In 1800 Indiana territory was formed, with Illinois as a part 
of it. William Henry Harrison was its first governor. It 
was not until 1809 that Illinois was organized as a territory 
with Ninian Edwards as its first governor. 

The division of the state into counties was a process 
that covered many years. The creating of new counties and 
the adjusfment of boundary lines was in the hands of the 
memlx'rs of the legislature, so that political influence went 
far toward bringing into existence numerous counties in the 
state. The desire for the location of the county seat fre- 
quently led citizens, who were ambitious for the advance- 
ment of their town, to petition for the creation of a new 
county, or a readjustment of boundary lines, that would 
ho more favorable to carrying out their plans. The settle- 
ment of the Southern part of the territory occurred at a 
much earlier date than that of the Central and Northern 
portions. As a natural result the southern counties were of 
much earlier origin than those of this region. In 1801 an 
adjustment of boundaries was made and all that portion of 
Illinois north of the mouth of the Embarrass river, including 
at least three-fourths of the area of the state was included 
in Madison county. In 1814 a dividing line was formed pas- 
sing north and south thru ]\Iadison county along the Third 
Principal Meridian, dividing the territory now embraced in 
the county of Woodford along the line, now separating 
Greene township from Roanoke and Clayton township from 
Linn. The appended list shows the dates at which changes 



12 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

occurred and the names of counties to which territory now in 
Woodford belonged. During' this time the eastern part was 
in one county and the western portion in another. 

Eastern Part. Western Part. 

18U-'l6 Edwards 1814- '17 Madison 

1816- '19 (h-awford 1817- '21 Bond 

1819- '21 Clark 1821-'25 Sangamon 

1821- '25 Fayette 

In the early 20 's the first settlements occurred within 
the [)i'esent limits of the county. The western portion was 
settled first and any county business to be transacted had to 
be done with the officials at the county seat in Springfield. 
In 1825 the western part was permitted to transact business 
in Peoria, altho it was not an actual part of tluit county. 
In 1827 Tazewell county was created and originally em- 
braced all of what is now Woodford. Tazewell was named 
in honor of Governor Lyttleton W. Tazewell, a prominent 
lawyer, representative in congress and meml)er of the 
United States senate from Virginia. During this period 
settlers began to come in more rapidly, and in 1880, still 
another change was made. IMcLean county was created and 
the eastern portion of Woodford was given to JMcLean. The 
dividing line between Tazewell. and the newly created county 
was six miles west of the Third Principal Meridian, running 
along College street Eureka. The new county was named 
in honor of John McLean, a stalwart pioneer lawyer and 
territorial .judge. He Avas the first representative in Con- 
gress from Illinois, and later United States senator from 
this state. This was the last change that took place before 
the passage and approval of the law creating Woodford 
county in Felu'uary, 1841. AVhile these events were in 
progress the county was gradually becoming more thickly 
settled and at the time of the organization of the county 
several towns had been started. 

Strange as it may seem to us at the present day the 
timber lands were the first choice of the pioneer, who was 
free to choose the best of the land. The prairies were shun- 



. EARLY SETTLEI\rENTS. 13 

nc'd as giving little hope of procliietive returns. ]\Iost of 
the settlers came from wooded regions and had learned to 
love the timber. Years after the first settlement was made 
the pioneer still made his home in the wooded lands, lie was 
not without reason for clinging to the timber, for the woods 
furnished logs for his cabin, fuel for his fire, and material 
for his fences ; while the prairies with their rank grasses, 
great sloughs and ponds did not furnish an inviting 
l)rospect. Only by the success of the more daring were the 
people induced to take government lands on the prairie. 

The first actual settlement that was of a permanent 
nature was made in the early 20 's, altho a man named 
IMeylock was in the county as early as 1819. The first 
settlers found him living Indian fashion, spending his time 
hunting and fishing. He had a family and lived in the 
region of Partridge and Spring Bay townships. There is so 
much uncertainty about this man as to create a doubt as to 
whether his name was William or George Bleylock. He was 
soon followed by settlers of a more permanent character. 
During the- next few years numerous emigrants came who 
were the foundati(m of a prosperous settlement. Situated 
near the river, which furnished the easiest and quickest 
means of travel, it was natural that the settlements in the 
vicinity of Spring Bay should grow. In 1822 William 
Blanchard, who came from Vermont, crossed the Illinois 
and began to farm on this side of the stream. He built his 
cabin just across the line in Tazewell county. This is said 
to have been the first house between Fort Clark, afterward 
called Peoria, and Chicago. At a later date Mr. Blanchard 
became a resident of Spring Baj^ township. The next year 
a cabin was erected Avithin tlie l)oundary of Woodford by 
a Mr. Darl)y. This cal)in was i)i-obal)ly tlie first erected in 
the actual limits of the county, and was l)uilt in 1828. The 
next decade Avitnessed a slow but no less certain growth. 
Horace, Austin, and Joseph (Crocker came fi'om Columbia 
county, New York, and at once identified thems(dves with 
movements for the growth of the settlement. Horace and 



14 HISTORY OP WOODFORD COUNTY. 

Austin f'rockcr wci-i' inlci'cslcd in the erection of the tirst 
mill opej'Mteil \)y wattT i)owei- in the west end, altho not lit- 
tiist in t!ie county. A mill was a very essential part ol' Ihe 
early settlement. Means of communication with the outside 
world were so meaij'er as to cause the settlcn- to (le[)end eu- 
tir(dy on tlu- local mill for the grinding of his Avli"at and 
corn. Tlie news of the itu)vement for a new mill was Itaih^l 
with gi-eat satisfaction, altho there had l)een a smaii mill 
operated l)y horse [)ower there before. Allen and Thoiuas 
Doiiohue were at one tiuu' interested, in this mill, but it 
finally passed into the hands of Rowland Crocker, and f<,»r 
more than half a century it was an important factor in the 
business life of Spring Hay. The building was tinislied in 
18.j4. Later William lloshor erected what was known far 
and wide as lloshor's mill. The owner came to Woodford 
county with his l)rother .Jefferson in 1830 from Fairf-eld. 
Ohio. This mill enjoyed an extensive l)usiness for nuiny 
years. 

Four other points in tiie county were of almost as early 
settlenumt as was the west side, Metamora, Panther, Wal- 
nut and White Oak Groves. Clustering arountl the region 
of jMetamora, or Hanover, as it was tirst called, are a great 
nnud)er of historical events that make that vicinity the 
delight of tlu' historian. About 1828 Daniel, William and 
Solomon Sowards came to that region from Ncav England 
and were soon followed by others. 

In 1836 the first postoffice in the county was established 
at Black Partridge, a point three miles north of the present 
site of the village. The office was named in honor of IJlick 
Partridge, an Indian chief whose lodge was at an early date 
in that neighborhood. It was located in the house of James 
Boys, who was the tirst postnuister. The duties of the ])ost- 
master of that day were not arduous. Very few i»apers vver(i 
taken and letters were few and far between. Posiagt; stamjis 
had not come into use, and the postage was usunlly paid by 
the recipient of a letter. Rates were high, and it Avas so^Tic- 
times a serious matter to get a letter from the oftioe. A little 



EARLY Sl^rrTLEMENTS. 15 

hiicr an offict' was opened at I'ark's mill about a mile I'rom 
D.Tetamura, witli William DaA-enport as i)()stni aster. This 
was finally called Partridge Point, altho Hanover seems to 
have been the name first selected. The name of the Indian 
( hief was ag'ain honored. At a later date this oriice was re- 
moved to the village by R. T. Cassell. 

While these events were in progress in the vv'est end, 
similar events were taking place in Walnut Gro\ (\ which 
embraced the territory around Eureka. These were timbered 
lands along Walnut crcndv. Its wooded hills proved an in- 
viting prospect for the pioneer, and about 1824 Joseph Dil- 
lon found his way to that region and began fanning. Tliat 
was but the beginning of a migratory movement tlijil had 
Walnut Grove as its destination. Many of these settlers 
were from Kentucky. Some came because of their dislike 
of slavery, others came in the hope of bettering their con- 
dition. By. 1832 there were a sufficient number there to or- 
ganize a church, and the Christian church was formed, with 
13 meml)ers. Southeast of Walnut Grove, along Panther creek 
was another ])oint of settlement. In 1830 AVilliam and 
Campbell IMoore came to the region afterward known as 
Bowling Green. They at once prepared for the erection of 
a mill on the bank of Panther creek. This was a short dis- 
tance from where the town was afterward laid out, and 
was the first water mill built in the county. 

White Oak Grove was settled in 1828. Located near 
what became the boundary line between Woodford and J.Tc- 
Lean counties, its history is closely connected with that of 
the latter. Robert and Samuel Phillips were the first comers 
to that region, but they were soon followed by others who 
established themselves and began farming. 

The next decade witnessed the arrival of numerous 
settlers from the older states or from older portions of Illi- 
nois. This paved the way for the opening of stores. Towns 
were at that time widely scattered. Grain was frequently 
taken to Peoria, Pekin, and even to Chicago. It was some 
time after the first settlement was niade before a store wass 



16 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

opened. In 1836 Solomon Tucker opened one at Hanover. 
His example was shortly afterward followed by Israel and 
Weeks. The year following James and Aaron Richardson 
opened a store in Bowling Green. Shortly afterward Dnr- 
ritt and Calloway l)egan business in Versailles. 

In 1840 Scott and Munn opened a grain office at Spring- 
Bay. This gave the county for the first time a direct means 
of transportation for their grain on the river boats. It 
made Spring Bay a point of im])()rtance among the c^arly 
settlers and it hehl a prominent pUiee for numy years. 



CHAPTER II. 

The West End. 

THE liistory <>i:' tho west side of the eounty einbrnecs 
Spring Bay, Partridge and Worth townships. Bordered 
on the west by the Illinois river, its area is hilly and ^vood 
elad. For several miles east of the river the roads are wind- 
ing find its scenery is picturesque. Years before the LVot of 
the white man touched this region, i1 was occupied by 
Indian tribes, and these have left ou that territory th'> un- 
mistakable evidence of their occupation. AVhen their white 
brothers came to the country, they still found scattered 
representatives of Indian tribes, among these were the Pot- 
tawotamies, Sacs, Foxes and Ottawas. The timber lands 
offered protection from the fierce storms that swept unim- 
peded over the wide prairies, at the same time they furnished 
an abundance of game to satisfy the eager hunter. The 
broad waters of the Illinois invited him to its banks, open- 
ing the way for his canoe and supi)lying him with fish. The 
springs, which abounded, furnished an abundance of pure 
water. The region offered him an ideal retreat. 

This part of the county is rich in relics of a previous 
occupation. A numl^er of mounds are found in Partridge 
and Spring Bay townships that were without question 
thrown up by those who possessed the country in by-gone 
days. Near Sjiring Bay on Mrs. Gunther's property is found 
a very perfect specimen of a mound. It covers quite a large 
arc^a, and it is almost perfectly rounded at the top. It has 
n(!ver been opened, in deference to the wishes of the 
owner who desir(!s to preserve it as it is. The origin 
of these mounds is in dispute, some claim tliat they 

(17) 



18 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

were built hy the so-called mound builders of prehistoric 
times, while others believe that they were the M'ork of the 
Indians themselves. The contents of the mounds thus far 
explored indicate that 'they were of Indian origin. The 
question is, however, on open one. 

An Indian graveyard extends north and south thru 
the village of Spring Bay. From what is seen of this grave- 
yard, they appear to have buried their dead in trenches 
about two feet in depth. In digging cellars or excavating 
for foundations along the line of this graveyard, Indian 
skeletons are fre(iuently found. 

This region was the scene of the first settlement made 
within the lioundary of Woodford county. The site was 
selected by the pioneer because of its proximity to the river. 
It was but a short time after the coming of the first settlers 
that new comers l)egan to arrive from the older states, and 
from the shores of Europe. Germany and France sent many 
loyal, sturdy settlers from tluMr shores to Woodford county. 
Many of these came to New Orleans, and ascended the Mis- 
sissi])})! and Illinois rivers to the landings near the western 
borders of Spring Bay or Partridge. Others came to Chi- 
cago, and })ushed their way to county borders. These people 
possessed the perseverance and sterling integrity that made 
them the foundation of the county's true greatness. No 
more loyal, i)atriotic citizens of Anua-ica have been found 
Ihan these pioneers and their deseendents. 

Spring Bay. 

The region of Spring Bay early became the home of a 
thriving class of pioneers. Not great in wealth nor extended 
in power, yet having a wealth of patience and courage that 
enabled them to bring the river bottoms under cultivation. 

Among the most prominent of these pioneers was the 
]>elsley family. In 1831 Joseph Belsley settled in Woodford 
county. He lived on the west side until 1879, when his 
death occurred. Several of the deseendents of this 
family are quite widly known through the county, being 
now residents of Roanoke. Beside Joseph Belsley there were 



THE WEST END. 19 

Christian, ^licluu'l and I'eter, who settled in the same vici- 
nity. Michael only remained a short time and moved to 
Tazewell county. Peter died there, and of the four. Christian 
i:-: the only one livint^' in the county today. He is 81 years 
of age and has resided here since he was seven years of age. 
They came from Europe, and were among those settlers who 
came on the river. 

Horace, Austin and Holland Crocker came from Col- 
uml)ia county, New York, and for a number of years were 
prominent figures in Spring Bay life. They (;ame among the 
earliest settlers in the county, and soon erected the Crocker 
mill. For more than half a century this served the people 
of the west end, l)ut it has long since gone to decay. 

Another well known miller was William Hosher, 
who came in 188U from Ohio. He was accompanied 
I)y his Ijrother Jefferson, who served as county com- 
missioner for several yi^ars. Hoshor's mill was 
another of the early enterprises of the county. A part 
of it still stands as a relic of its formc^r presperity. 
The AVilliams fauiily was also well known, figures in 
the township, the three brothers, Richard, L(»wis 
and Jackson, being connected with the business interests of 
the town. C. A. Genoways was another who held a proininent 
place in the business life of Spring Bay. J. C. and Phineas 
Shottenkirk came in the early 80 's from New York. They 
l)ought land and {)rosi)ered in their newly fcvunded home. 
There were numerous other prominent settlers aside from 
these, among whom were William Blanchai'd, who settled 
in 1822 in Tazewell county and later moved to Spring Bay 
township. Jesse Day who began to farm there in 1829, An- 
gus McQueen in 1837 came from New York, being a native 
of Scotland. Isaac Phillips, Jacob AVilson, Elzy and Sampson 
Bethard, George Sommers and William Barker were other 
pioneers of that region. 

These settlers had been here l)ut a few years when they 
began to make plans for founding towns. Spring Bay was 
one of the early villages of the county. It was founded in 



20 HISTORY OP WOODFORD COTTNTY. 

183G, before the orj^anization ol Wootlfoi'd county and was 
at that time a part of Tazewell eoimty. 

The first schools were taught in the cabins of those 
interested in edneation. The township now lias two scliools 
expending' about $1,100 annually in their support. 

For many years Spring Bay was without a churcli, but 
in recent years a church has been erected tliere and it luis 
a small congregation. 

When the townships were formed the portion of the 
county forming the subject of this discussion was laid out 
as a township, altho it Avas not half the size of a congres- 
sional township. The name of the village within its borders 
was assigned to the newly created township. The first officers 
were as folloAvs : Supervisor, G. W. Schnibley ; assessor, 
John Hazard ; collector, 0. A. Genoways ; town clerk, C. S. 
Shults. 

The present township officers are as follows: Super- 
visor, Alfred Kosher; collector, William S. Eichorn ; asses- 
sor Adolph Hoffman; clerk, Henry Bieber; com- 
missioners, Fred J. Loser, Gottlieb Koch, Robert Miller; 
Justices, Peter Loser, George Winkler; constables, Otto Ur- 
])an and I^ewis Mackey. 

Partridge. 

To Partridge township belongs the honor of being the 
home of the first white settler in the county, for altho Wil- 
liam Bleyloclj; merely lived Indian fashion in the woods and 
hills, he must be considered a settler, since his family resided 
with him in their tent or wigwam. It was several years be- 
fore^ settlers of a more permanent character began coming 
to the forest clad hills. The first among these was Francis 
Ayers, who came from Ohio in 1831, having previously stayed 
a short time in Metamora township. Joseph Belsley, fam- 
iliarly known as "Red Joe" came to Partridge from France 
in 1S;>1. Shortly afterward Louis A. Guibert came from the 
same ountry, settling in that township in 1833. 

Josepli .Johnson came to the township about 1834, and 
operated a grist and saw mill. John, Isaac, David and Peter 



THE AVRST END. 21 

8ny(l(!i' ai-rivt'd in 1834, coming from Germany. John Sharp 
came from I'eoria in 1835. Other setth'rs were Chauncey 
Baker, Philij) liettelynne, John M. C'lingman, Daniel and 
Samuel Iledlock, Daniel Sowards, Benjamin Young and 
AVilliam Hunter. There has never ])een a town in Partridge 
townshij), but there was at one time a store, conductcnl by 
George Ramey. The first blacksmith shop was opened by 
Jeft'. Tolafero. It ultimately passed into the hands of Mr. 
Johnson. A postoffice was maintained at the home of 
Chauncey Baker for a number of years, and nuiil was 
brouglit ()\'er from (Miillicothe by any one going over. 

'I'lie earliest preachei's in the township w(^r(; Kev's Dav- 
enport, Palmer and Pigsley. For many years the [)eopl(^ of 
Par-1 ridge were without a church, but in recent years one 
has been erected al)out four miles southwest of Cazenovia. 
Here the settlers have enjoyed thi; privelege of hearing the 
gospel proclaimed since its dedication. It is of the Christian 
denomination. The first schools were taught in the homes, 
Mr. Caldwell and Mr. Plummer being the pioneer teachers. 
There are now in the township three schools, expending 
annually about $1,200 for their supi)ort. 

When the townships were formed in the county. Par- 
tridge was named for the Indian chief. Black Partridge, and 
eleff'erson Iloshor first acted as suprvisor. The township is 
at present represented by the following officials : Supervi- 
sor, Solomon Winkler; clerk, Ross l^eavers; assessor, Andrew 
Butte; commissioners, John Bohlander, Louis Curry, Ben 
Puchs; justices, Louis J. Johnson and Wm. Jones; constable, 
Henry Spilliman. 

One of the most important undertakings ever launched 
in the county was begun a few years ago by citizens and 
land owners in Partridge township. It was known as the 
Partridge Drainage district. A petition was presented in 
the county court for the formation of a drainage district 
that would drain land valued at more than a million dollars. 
The cost of the work would probably reach one hundred 



22 ]irSTOTJY OF WOODFORD COITNTY. 

thousand dollars. L. A. Guil>ert was appointed commissioner, 
but the work was never e(nnpleted. 

One of the pleasant occasions for the gathering- of the 
people of S])i'ing' Bay, Worth and Partridge townships is the 
annual fish fry. I'eople gather for miles aronnd and enjoy 
the music, amusements and speeches. vMl are treated to all 
the fish 1h(\y can eat, and enjoy a general good time. 

Worth. 

South of Partridge and east of Spring Bay lies Worth 
tovvnshi}). Early in the history of the county Worth be- 
g;in to attract settlers to its territory. Among the earliest 
of these was Zedock Hall, a pioneer Methodist preacher. 
For years no figure in Methodism was more prominent in 
Woodford eountj' than was this early exppunder of the 
gospel. His message was heard far and wide, and was 
product i\e ol' much good. For many years his son Lewis 
Hall lived in Worth township. Among other early settlers 
uuiy be found the names of Peter Weber, Christian Smith, 
( ■harles Molitor, Joseph .Schertz, Christian Belsley, Jacob 
Toerger, Martin Sommers, Peter Nafifzinger, "Red Joe" Bel- 
sley, M. Wagner, John J. Tool, David Kindig, James West, 
John, Christian and Thomas BroAvnfield, Simon Groves, 
Sanuiel Be(dv, John Sunderland and Thomas Sunderland, Jr. 
Peter Klein opened the first blacksmith shop, while AA^illiam 
Hoshor owned the first hotel, which was called the German- 
town House. Peter Saale conducted a bar and grocery there 
for a numl)(!r of years. This was also kept at one time by 
Frank Tropp. Later a saw mill was erected by Mr. 
lioshor. This little luunlet was known for years as German- 
town. Another well known resort of former days was the 
Union House on the state road five miles west of Metamora. 
The later comcu's numbered among them Henry Wald- 
schmidt, Peter Barner, John JMiller, Valentine and Conrad 
Rohman, Adam and George AVenzel, Peter Gingerich, 
Charles Molitor, Conrad, Jacob and John Alig and George 
Greiner. 

A number of these oi\v]y setth-rs caine from Lorraine. 



THE WEST END. 23 

They broiiglit their household goods to the sea shore, sohl 
their horses, put their goods on a sailing vessel and eaine to 
New Orleans. They were two and a half months on the trip. 
They then came on the Mississippi and Illinois to Spring IJay, 
which M^as as large as Peoria at that time. They are said to 
have brought the first wagons to the county. They hauled 
grain to Chicago in those days, and it re([uired ten days to 
make the trip. The greater part of these early settlers 
l)ui]t themselves log cabins. A number of these are still in 
use by residents of AVorth township. 

An interesting story is told by Mayor Frank Giehl, of 
Metamora concerning the first stand of bees in the western 
part of Woodford county. One of the pioneers was return- 
ing home one day, when he saw a swarm of ])ees that bad- 
settled on a tree near by. lie was very anxious to have them, 
and improvised a novel means to capture tlunn. A i)art of m 
liollow log was seciu'ed and a piece of his clothing was tied 
around the lower end and the bees were cauglit in the log. 
When tlu'y were all in he tied up the other end of the log 
and went on his way rejoicing. At home, he made a hive for 
his prize from another hollow log, and from this start he 
received his first honey 

Lourds was at one time a postoffice, the first postmaster 
being Henry Theobald. Mail was delivered there from Meta- 
mora. 

Rricktown as it is named was a settlement so called from 
the fact that a large brick yard was at one time conducted 
there. 

One of the earli(fst schools in the county was taught in 
Benj. AVilliams' barn by Mr. Ellmore, but the first school 
house was built at a much later date. As early as 1846 school 
was held in a log school house at Lourds. T'n 1882 a new 
building was erected. There are now six schools in the 
township which require an annual expenditure of about 
$2,300 for their support. 

Worth has one point of general interest that is the 
Church of Immaculate Conception at Lourds. The organi- 



24 IlISTOKY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

zation was formed in 1837, and for several years held servi- 
ces in a barn. In 1840 a little log chiirch was erected. This 
was the first congregation in the' county to build a church, 
and it is said to have been the first church built between 
I'eoria and Chicago. This served for a number of years as a 
meeting place. The church was first served by a priest from 
Joliet. In 1854 Rev. Father M. Gipperich came to the organi- 
zation and remained two years. About that time work on the 
new church was begun. It was built from brick made by 
Peter Wiltz in his brick yard, which was quite an extensive 
establishment. The church was finished in 1858, and in the 
storm of that year, the roof was blown off. It was at once 
replaced and the church still serves as a convenient place 
of worship. The structure cost about $12,000. It has con- 
nected Avith it a large cemetery. There was at one time a 
log cluirch under the control of the Lutheran denomination, 
but this long years ago passed out of the memory of the 
greater part of the people. An old Amish church was built 
on the State road in more recent years. 

The township was organized in 1855, and Jacob Schuck 
was elected as its first supervisor. 

The officers at present are as follows : Supervisor, Leo 
F. Schwenk; clerk, John Meister; assessor, John G. Eck- 
stein; collector, John G. Fandel ; commissioners, Wm. Roh- 
man, Peter Kieswetter, Adam Geigerich; justice, Conrad 
Dubois, Ed. Noe; contables, Conrad II. Kerker, Charles 
Studer. Among the early settlers was George Schneider, a 
resident of Benson at the present time. He remembers many 
incidents connected with j)ioneer life, altho he was not 
among the first settlers. 



CHAPTER III. 

Metamora. 

THE earliest settlers came to Metamora township wi'ien 
the county was but in its infancy. The pioneers were 
attracted to its picturesque woods, and soon had a flourish- 
ing little settlement. Around the site of ^Metamora cluster 
a host of historic memories that serve to make the actors 
in these important events the center of interest in the 
county. Even before the coming of the first settlers, the 
region was important in the Indian life of prehistoric days. 
No single portion of the country is so rich in historical 
data as is. this. 

The first settlers to make their appearance on the scene 
of action were Danial, William and Solomon Sowards. The 
exact date of this settlement is in doubt, but it was probably 
about 1824. The example set by these bold pioneers was fol- 
lowed by others and within a few years the region number- 
ed a score of families. So rapid was this settlement that by 
1836 there was a demand for a postoffice and in that year 
one was established about three miles north of the present 
site of the town, in the home of James Boys, who was the 
first postmaster in the county. It was discontinued in a short 
time and one was opened at Partridge Point. The first post- 
oftice had been named for the chief, Black Partridge, and 
the name of the second again honored the old Indian chief. 
Partridge Point was near Metamora, the postoffice being 
at Parks' saw mill. William Davenport was the first post- 
master there. 

The year of 1836 was an important one in the growth 
of the county, as it witnessed the establishment of four 

(25) 



26 HISTORY OP WOODFORD COUNTY. 

towns in quick succession, the first in the county. Meta- 
mora or Hanover as it was then called, was among this 
number. 

Settlers came from various states and the rc^gion soon 
became one of the most po])ulous ])arts of the county. In 
1828 George Kingston settled in the townshi]), coming from 
Ireland. Peter Engle, Sr., John Engle, Francis Bregeard. 
Christian Engle, Joseph Bachman and Michael loerger came 
from France. 

From Kentucky there came Robert T. Cassell, who was 
connected with the history of Metamora for many years ; 
Joseph Wilkerson, William II. Delph and Jesse Dale. The 
latter Avas twice elected count}' treasurer of Woodford 
county. 

Another prominent family froni Kentucky was that of 
Jacob Banta, who came with his sons, David and Cornelius 
D., in 1832, and who was followed by a third son, Albert J., 
the next year. This family became one of the most influen- 
tial in the county. Mr. Banta was a native of New Jersey, 
as was his grandfather, Albert Banta. The family 
originated in Holland and came to America in eaHy colonial 
days. The first one to come over was Epke Jacob Banta 
in 1659. He settled at Bergen, now a part of New Jersey. 
Albert Banta was one of the fifth generation and was grand- 
father to Jacob Banta, the subject of our sketch. The latter 
was born in Ilackensack, N. J., March 18, 1771, and was 
fourteen years old when he accompanied his ])arents to 
Kentucky. He came to Illinois in 1882 and lived a short time 
near Washington, then came to the region of Metamora. He 
became a prosperous citizen, living to he !)() years of age. 
He died Feb. 26, 1861. His sons, Cornelius D., David and 
Albert became prominent members of the rapidly growing 
community. Cornelius took up land near Metamora, as did 
also Al])ert. Among the most prominent members of the 
Banta family was Jacob Banta, an early settler of Roanoke, 
and later resident of Eureka. His son, Dr. C. F. Banta, is 
engaged in the practice of medicine in the latter city. The 




JACOB BANTA, 
Early Settler of Metamora, Township. 



TOWNf^ITTPR— I\rETAI\rOEA. 21 

Mienil)ers of the firm of B<int;i Brothers, of Low Point, A. 
Lincoln, John L., Prank D. and Areliie D. are sons of Cor- 
nelius IJanta. 

Georjore Ray eame to Illinois IVom Ohio in LS;]() and 
soon came to ^letaniora, where he resided at the time of hif^ 
death. lie engn,o-ed in the cattle trade (juite extensively in 
the early years of his life here. lie soon became a prominent 
figure in the county and in IH'A) was elected sheriff' and in 
1854 Avas ag"ain elected to that office. He was the father of 
Jacob Ray, who has l)een connected with the political life 
of the county for many years. In 1882 the latter was elected 
county clei'k. 

Welcome P. Brown came to Illinois from New York 
about 1H:'>:\. He first settled in Bloomington after visitiufy 
several other jioints. He finally came to Woodford county 
and was cl'osen the first county judge in 1849. 

In 1835 John Page, Sr., and Ebenezer Page came from 
New Hampshire to Woodford coimty and settled in the vicin- 
ity of Hanover. The members of the Page family trace their 
geneology back to John Page, who was l)orn in Dedham". 
England, in 1586, and came to America with Governor Win- 
throp in 1830, The members of this family were prominent 
in their new home, and held various responsible positions. 
John Page, Sr., died at Metamora in 1855. Ebenezer Page 
died there also after a long and useful life. Of the decend- 
ants of these pioneers it is necessary to name three, John 
W, Adino and Samuel True Page. Of these the former 
was the most prominent. He held numerous prominent 
position. He was the first school treasurer of his township. 
In 1845 he was elected county commissioner of schools, hav- 
ing been elected as coroner the year before. In 1857 he was 
chosen county treasurer and was re-elected in 1859. Aside 
from these county offices he held various otli(^r positions. 
He was supervisor, school director, village treasurer, etc. 

He erected thc^ first house in Metamora, and was ccm- 
nected with the business interests for many years, being 
engaged in banking and the sale of merchandise. 



28 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

Adiuo Page was also (juitc prominent, lie was for eight 
years superintendent of the Woodford county poor farm, 
having hold a similar position in IMassachusetts. He was 
justice of the peace I'or about 18 years, and was engaged in 
1 iisiness with John W. Page. 

Both John W. and Samuel True Page enlisted in the 
JMexican war in 1846. Samuel Page also served in the war 
of tlie rebellion in the 108th regiment. Another prominent 
member of this family is Judge S. S. Page of Chicago, who 
holds a high rank as an attorney and judge. Dr. J. F. Page 
of Eureka is a meml)er of this well known family. 

Deacon Joel Ranney came to iletamora township in 
IS.'W from Stockbridge, Vernunit, making the journey across 
tie country in a wagon drawn l)y two horses, lie l)ought 
a tract of ju-airic land in what is now Metamora township. 
l.n 1848 1 is death occurred. Two children remained, Hon. J. 
A. Ranney and a daughter, Esther J. Packard. The former 
is still ;i pi'omincnt character in ^letamora township. He 
w;is deeply interested in the solution of the slavery ques- 
tion and on one occasion was conductor on the underground 
ruilroad. He became lu'ominent in the rei)ublican party and 
in 1876 was eh'cted as a nunnber of the legislature and 
served in the general assemldies of '77 and '79. 

No account of the history of IMetamora W(ndd l)e com- 
j)lete without a sketch of tlu' Morse family, which was so 
piominently connected with the work of the underground 
railroad. 

Parker iMorse came to Woodford county in 18']5. The 
family first settled in the vicinity of what later became 
Low Point, but in a short time they moved a mile south of 
the present site of Cazenovia, in Metamora towmship. There 
were several members of the family and the viinnity soon 
I'ecame known as the iMorse settlement or ^Morsetown. Levi 
i*. ^lorse was but 15 years of age when he came thru with 
his father to Illinois but he drove a team the entire distance 
from Vermont. Other members of the family were Joseph 




JOHN W. PAGE, 

Early Settler of Metamora Township. 



TOWNSHIPS— lAlETAiMORA. 29 

T., Milton and Mark Morse. These were ainono' the first 
abolitionists who came here, and they were active in the work 
of the underground railroad, mention of which is made here- 
after. jMiss Love K. ]\lorse is said to have tanglit the first 
free school in the county. It is ai)pr()priate that an account 
of the work of the underground railroad should appear at 
1liis point. Only one rcin.iins of all those connected with its 
work, J. A. llanney, and he is able to tell luany interesting 
incidents in connection with it. 

The Underground Railroad. 

The Fugitive Slave law aroused great feeling among 
the ()]iponents of slavery over the entire north. It was es- 
pecially obnoxious to those who had lielonged to tlu^ Abolo- 
tionists. So great was the oi)position to its enforceiruuit that 
concerted plans were made to evade it. These led to the 
formation of certain well defined routes that were taken 
by the slaves in their effort to reach Canada, where they 
.vould be free from pui'suit. Since travel along th(!se lines 
was done as secretly ns possiljle, they came to be known as 
and crground railroads. 

Woodford county was no exception to the general rule, 
and there was bitter opposition to the enforcement of the 
fugitive slave laAV. This condition was not surprising, since 
the county had men, who were strong opponents of slavery 
and likewise men who would make any sacrifice to have 
tlie institution stamped out. Over this branch of the under- 
ground road many a run-away slave passed on his way to 
freedom. There was such a strong sentiment against the 
traffic that conductors and stations were found in sufficient 
number to carry on the work successfully. 

Fugitives came into Woodford county from what was 
then called Deacon street, between Tremont and Morton. 
They passed around Washington, which was regarded as 
unfriendly toward plans for their escape, and came to the 
place of Deacon Dutton, half way between Metamora and 
Washington. Deacon Dutton himself was the principal con- 



30 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

ductor from that station, altlio George Kern also acted in that 
caj)acity. Patterson Scott was one of the conductors south- 
east of Washington. Mr. Dutton usually brought them to 
what was called Morsetown. This was a settlement of the 
.Morse family and was south of Cazenovia, near the Morse- 
town cemetery. Captain Parker jMorse and Joseph T. ]\Iorse 
weie in hearty sympatliy with all ell'orts made for the escape 
of the slave. From liu'i'c the fugitives were taken to a point 
beyond IMagnolia, to the liome of a Quaker named Lewis, or 
if there hapix'iied 1o be no excitement, they were taken to 
the home of ;i man named Werk, near Crow creek, this side 
of Lacon. 



TOWNSHIPS— METAMORA. 31 




J. A. RANNEY. 



32 ITISTOHY OF AVOODFORD COUNTY. 

Deacon I'arkci- Morse was an iiupoi'tant eharaeter in 
this work of eseai)e. North of Low Point, James G. Bayne, 
and the family of John IMeCoy, took an active part in aiding: 
slaves, Jamt^s Piper, east of Low Point, was also a strong 
sympathizer with those seeking' liberty. J. A. Ranney, who 
still resides south of Cazenovia, once acted as a conductor 
on this road, and has a vivid i-ccollection of some oF his ex- 
periences on tiiat ti'ii), altho he was (piite young at the time. 
lie reached the home ol' Lewis, tliree miles beyond M;igno- 
lia, with his p.art.y about thi-ee o'clock in the morning. Th(^ 
family w^as aroused and iMr. Ranney si ill rememl)ei-s llic 
welcome sight ol' tlu' room into which they were ushered 
on their arrival, lie styles it the best looking room he ever 
saw. 

In these tri])s the towns were avoided as much as pos- 
sible as there was more danger of betrayal attached to going 
thru a town. It was a commim occurrence to see bills posted 
offering a reward of $'>() to ^100 reward for the cai)ture of 
some run-away boy or girl. Occasionally the reward was 
even greatei- than that. This was an incentive to aid in tlie 
recovery of any fugitixc tiiat might be seen, aiul made it 
necessary to take tiie (|uiet roads. Much of the traveling 
was done at nigiit, and excry precaution possible was taken 
to prevent discovery. All aid graiited 1o these tleeing sla\'es 
was a violation of the fugitixc sla\'e law. yet in si)ite of this 
the work went on witii very little uu)lestation for a long 
time in this county. The etfoi-ts of the condiu-toi's wei-e 
known in the community, but the general disposition seemed 
to be one of non-interference, altho there was an occasional 
murmer of disapproval. 

On one occasion Joseph Moi-se was arrested for aiding 
in the escape of a slave. At that time Woodford county had 
no jail and he was taken to Pekin in Tazewell county, by 
William T. Magarity, who was sheriff at the time. The jailer 
was not at home when "Sir. I\Iagarity arrived with his prison- 
er so that ]\Ir. ]\Iorse was left until his return. On the jailer's 



TOWNSTTIPS— I\IETA]\10RA. 33 

appearance, the ])ris()ner was diseharged as his i)apers were 
not sufficient to warrant his (U'tention. The indictment 
against him was finally (plashed. This appears to he as far 
as the open opposition to the work of the road appears to 
have gone. 

Schools. 

The educational interests of the township received at- 
tention at an early date. The first school was taught in 183fi 
hy Miss Betsy Page. The first puhlic school has been re- 
ferred to as having been taught ])y ]\[iss Morse. The trustees 
at that time were James Owens, Thomas Jones and Parker 
Morse. The work of education prospered and Metamora 
township has now nine schools in the township re(]uiring 
an annual tax levy of $7,0{)(). 

When the county was divided into townships, Metamora 
Icnvnship was named for the town within its borders. The 
first supervisor was Simon P. Shope, who was honored by 
being chosen the first chairman of the board of sui)ervisors. 

The township is at present governed by the following 
officers: Supervisor, Henry Ileininger; clerk, James Hall; 
assessor, Henry Longenbacher ; collector, Lewis II. Wagon- 
er; commissioners, John Schierer, John INIingcr, Josi^ph 
Schneider; justices, John L. McGuire, Frank Giehl ; consta- 
bles, J. D. Griggs and Ed Full. 

One of the early residents of the township was Yost 
P.ally who came there at an early date from Ohio. Two sons 
Samuel Bally, of Benson, and Christian Bally, of Roanoke, 
now reside in the county. Thomas Whorrall was another of 
the early settlers. For many years he took a prominent part 
in the affairs of his township. He later moved to Iowa where 
his death occurred. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Olio and Cruger. 

THE reii'iou now cnihraccd in Olio antl Cruger townships 
takes n prominent place in the history of Woodford 
county. Early in its development it became the goal toward 
Avhich settlers from Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and other 
points of early settlement l^ent their steps. The forest that 
covered the hanks of Walnut creek invited them to build 
their modest cabins, under the shade of spreading forest 

trees, and the invitation 
met with ready response. 
The vicinity was called 
Walnut Grove, taking its 
. 2iame I'rom the little 
stream that meandered 
thru it. 

As early as 1824 settlers 
began coming to the re- 
gion, and during the de- 
i-.ide that followed, many 
pioneers found their way 
to that favored spot. 
Joseph Dillon is named as 
the one who broke the first 
ground for farming in 
this vicinity. John A. 
HENRY B. MEEK. and Campbell Moore, W, 

P. Atter])erry, Matthew Bracken and others, 

(34) 




TOWNSHIPS— OLIO AND CRUGER. 



35 



In 1831 Caleb Davidson came from Glasgow, Ky., and 
settled northwest of the present site of Eureka. The log 
cabin which the family occupied on coming to this country 
stood on the Davidson farm, which is still owned by W. A. 
Davidson, for more than seventy years. Unnl)le to withstand 
the assult of time any longer, it now lies n crumbled 
Avreck. Barton Vi. Stone held ridigious services in the 
Davidson Ijarn in 1834. The Davidson home was open to all 
visitors who sought its shelter, and many a student made his 
home there without cost while attending the college at Eu- 
reka. John E. Da\idson also came at an early dat(\ 

John Summers settlerl there in 18;')b, and made his home 
there for more than half a century, lie was a member of 
the committee that was a])])()inted in 1854 to divide the 
county into townshii)s. 
He was the tirst presi- 
(k'Ut of the Old Settlers' 
organized in LS7() and 
held that office seven 
years. He also served as 
county commissioner of 
schools. 

There was little di- 
versity in tht' hard ex- 
perience of the i)ioneei' 
settlers of those early 
times ? n Woodford 
county, but a soil of such 
virgin and continued fer- 
tility makes this now one 
of the most prosperous 
and favored regions of JOSEPH MEEK, 

our beloved country. By the practice of scientitic farming, 
and the introduction of the best stock the descendants 
of the early pioneers are proving worthy successors of their 
progenitors. 




36 



IISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 



Daniel Meek came in 1826 and four years later Joseph 
and Henry ]\Ieek came from Indiana. The family liad come 
originally from Kentucky, but had resided in Indiana for 
a short time before coming here. They were here at the 
time of the great snow, and saw many hardships. They came 
here in wagons, and settled on farm lands previously pur- 
chased for $1.25 per acre. Henry ]\Ieek was captain of the 
home guards, a company organized to guard against the 
depredations of the Indians. The descendants of these 
pioneers have held numerous places of trust and responsi- 
bility. Foremost of these was Col. B. D. Meek, who was 

lieutenant colonel in the 
nth regiment of cavalry, 
judge of the county court, 
county treasurer, ])esides 
filling numerous other 
])r()minent positions in po- 
litical life. He was recog- 
nized far and wide as one 
of the characters who has 
stood foremost in the rec- 
ords of the county. His 
son, L. F. Meek, is a well 
known attorney in Peoria, 
and was at one time a 
candidate for member of 
congress from the Peoria 
district. Other names well 
known among those who 
have shaped the policy of 
the county are those of D. 
R. Meek, Secor;E.P. Meek, 
Pairlniry ; Jesse Meek, Peoria ; Joseph Meek, Metaraora ; R. 
P. Meek, Peoria; Mrs. S. H. McClure, Mrs. J. A. Briggs. 
Joseph Meek, was elected county treasurer in 1902. 

In 1834 B. J. Radford, Sr., came from Kentucky and at 
once became prominently connected with the church and 




B. D. MEEK. 



TOWNSHIPS— OLIO AND CRUGER. 37 

college. His descendants have been closely identified with 
the civic, social and religious life of the couimunity. R. N. 
Radford was for many years an editor and i)ul)lisher in Eu- 
reka, being connected Avitli the Eureka Journal. C. II. Rad- 
ford was well-known as an attorney in the county. Dr. B. J. 
Radford has been for many years connected with Eureka 
College as a professor. Recently he has severed liis connec- 
tion with that institution. He has filled some of the most 
important pulpits in the Christian church, including those 
in Cincinnati, Denver and other points. 

A year earlier Ben Major came from Kentucky, and 
soon became a leader in the religious life of the little circle 
at AValnut Grove. He was the founder of Eureka (JolU;ge, 
and his name became noted far and wide because o':' liis 
great heart and his devotion to the interest of others. IL^ 
aided in the re-organization of the church in Walnut Gi-ove, 
and was elder for a numl>er of years. Ills son, (^apt. Jo 
Major, was a captain in the lOSth Illinois. He has long l)een 
connected with the l)usiness and political life of the county. 
Charles Major and Allen A. Major are prominent farmers 
still residing in the township. 

Joshua Woosley, who came here in 1831, was a pioneer 
teacher and preacher, and was also the first assessor Wood- 
ford county had. His son, William AVoosley, resided for 
many years in Eureka, and now resides near Mt. Zion. 

John McClintock came to Illinois from Ohio in the 30 's 
and settled in the ^TiOuthern part of the township. He has 
two sons and a daughter still residing in the county, E. L. 
McClintock, Eureka, W. II. McClintock, Cazenovia, and JNIrs. 
Frj^, Eureka. David and Thomas Deweese were well known 
characters in the early days, having come in 1830. "Sirs. R. 
D. Smith is a representative of the family in Eureka. 

Thomas Bullock came in 1835 from Woodford county, 
Kentucky. As will be seen from the following chapter, he 
was at the head of the movement for a new county, and thru 
his influence secured the passage of the bill providing for its 



38 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

orgMiiizatioii. M. R. iJulluck eaine here in 18.']4. Among the 
members oi' Ww lUillock family that have stood high in the 
annals of the eonnty. is Capt. W. IM. Bulloek, of 108th Illi- 
nois. W. S. Bnlloek, was for many years i)rominent as a 
resident of Secor. Elijah Dickinson eanie from Kentucky 
in ISof), and l'.;)s left a record of good works. Ilis sons, R. 
P>. and E. W. Dickinson have iilentiiied th.emselves with the 
best interests of the community. The former is at the head 
of the Dickinson & Co , th.e extensive canners. R. J. and E. 
B. Dickinson, iiis sons, are associated with liim. E. W. Diek- 
inr,on ! '^.s ludd \arious positions of trnst and honor, being 
at one tiitii' county surveyor, ^liss E. J. Dickinson has been 
1 irgely interested in the work of the churches and college. 
She was one of tlie eiiitors of tlie history of Eureka College. 

William Long settled in that vicinity, coming from 
New A11)nny, Ind. He came in 1827. Ro])ert Bullington came 
in 1888. His daught(^r, Mrs. E. Pierce, still resides at Eureka. 
Among the settlers in the vicinity of Versailles were Amos 
and Warren Watkins. The former was one of the pioneer 
Christian preachers and did much to advance the interests 
of the church. Warren Watkins' home was noted for its 
open hospitality. No stranger was turned from the door 
without having liis need supplied and his heart cheered. 
There is l)ut one representative of the family now living in 
the county, Mrs. D. R. Meek, of Secor. 

At a later date canu' Garland and David Moore from 
Kentucky. The former was a pioneer Methodist preacher, 
and his voice was heard in many a service. Of the children 
of this early minister but three remain: Ben L. Moore, J. D. 
Moore and Mrs. J. J. Mishler. Of the children of David 
Moore, but one renuiins in the county, C. D. Moore of Eu- 
reka. One son, Wm. Mo(U'e, represented the Tazewell county 
district in the state legislature, several years ago. 

Rev. Wm. Davenort was another pioneer preacher of the 
Christian church. His family has been ((uite largely identi- 
fied with the interest of Eureka. But one branch of the 



TOWNSHIP?;— OLTO AND CKTTGER. 



;jy 



family remains, that of iMrs. E. L. Davenport, widow of 
Edgar Davenport. 

James Mitehell nnd familv came and settled in the 




ELDER JOHN OATMAN. 

vicinity in 1833. Wm. IMitehell, a son, was for many years a 
well known resident of Mt. Zion. Another well known 
character among' the i)ioneers M^as John Oatman. lie was a 
leader in the organization of the Christian ehureh in 1832. 
Jesse Oatman was in thi' Black Hawk war. 

The first town in Olio township was Versailles, which 
was founded in 183H. In 1854- '5 the first railroad was 

huilt thru the township, and there are those still living who 
remember riding on the first train. II. II. Simpson recalls 
his riding on the first train between Eureka and ElPaso. It 
was a free ride, and the accommodations were commcm flat 
ears with seats formed by laying boards on kegs. A rope 



40 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

was stretched around the car to prevent any one from fall- 
ing off. The railroad was first knoAvn as the Eastern Branch 
of the Peoria and Oqiiawka, l)iit later became the Toledo, Pe- 
oria and AVestern. 

A discussion arose as to the location of stations. Cruger 
was chosen as a site for a town, and a request was also 
made for a station at Eureka. This hroughf forth a vig- 
orous protest from Cruger, the claim urged lieing that the 
towns were too close together. The two towns were estab- 
lislied, however, in spite of the protest. Eureka in December, 
1855, and Cruger in May 1856. 

In 1870 Cruger township was separated from Olio and 
the first election resulted in the selection of the following 
township officers: Supervisor, George Boyd; collector, R. 
N. Radford ; assessor, Jesse Meek ; town clerk, Peter Moye- 
mont; commissioners, A. P. Meek; R.C. Stewart and Thomas 
Ellis; justice of the peace, John Kaufman and John j\Ic- 
Peak ; constables, John Trimmer and Lewis ]\Iyers. The 
separation was due to the objection of the western part of 
the township to issuing bonds to aid in building the Chicago 
Pekin and Southwestern road. The new township was named 
for the village within its borders. 

The first school in Cruger was taught in 1831 by Wil- 
liam Iloshor. The township now has three schools, expend- 
ing about $1,200 annually for school purposes. 

The first school in Olio was tauglit in 1837 by M. Bul- 
lock in a log cabin near the present site of Eureka. The 
township now has one graded school and five rural schools, 
expending about ten thousand dollars annually in their sup- 
port. 

Cruger township has one church known as the Mt. Zion 
Christian organization. It was formed about 53 years ago. 

Ca^enovia, 

The settlement of Cazenovia township dates back to the 
early 30 's. The lands that bordered the timber formed an 
inviting field for the pioneer seeking a home, and in 1832 
the first settlement of which we have record was made by a 



TOWNSHIPS— CAZENOVIA. 41 

man naiiied Hubbard. He settled in the region that was 
later known as Low Point. During the next few years 
numerous settlers came into the new territory, the greater 
nundjer of them coming from the Eastern states. The same 
year Isaac Buckingham and his son, INIorgan, came from 
Pennsylvania. Judge W. E. Buckingham, who was the first 
associate justice in the county, being elected together with 
W. C. Poynter, in 1849. They were associated with Judge 
Welcome P. Brown, the first county Judge Woodford county 
had. In 1853 j\lr. Buckingham was elected county judge and 
in 1865 John Buckingham was elected superintendent of 
schools for the county. The members of the family settled 
near Washburn. 

About the same time the families of Thomas Jones and 
Isaac JMoulton came to that vicinity. They were both from 
the east. The year of 1835 witnessed the arrival of a number 
of families that were to play an important part in the 
growth of the county. Among these were three brothers, 
Simen, Samuel and Abner Mundell, who came from Penn- 
sylvania. The former went to California at the time of the 
gold fever, ])ut the others remained in the county. In 1850 
Samuel Mundell was elected coroner, Other members of 
the family have been well known in the political and busi- 
ness life of the county. Rev. James Owen was a pioneer 
preacher of the township. He came to the vicinity of Wal- 
nut Grove in 1835, having lived in Wayne county for a 
number of years prior to that time. He was noted as a 
hunter thruout that region and is said to have killed fifty- 
two foxes in a single year. 

Jesse Hammers was another pioneer who came from 
Pennsylvania in 1835. He took an unusually active part in 
the development of the infant settlements and in directing 
the growth of the township. A few years later Emerald 
Fisher came. His family found numerous settlers there, but 
the country al)out them was stU wild and unbroken 
at the time of their coming in 1840. Another member 
of the Fisher family was Willard Fisher, who came 



42 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

a short time after Emerald. He left a Sweetheart 

back in A'ermont and walked back to that state to 
-s^ claim his bride. They returned to Woodford county 
after they were married but did not make the return trip 
on foot. ■ 

The hrst church was built by the Baptists in 184'J, and 
in 1857 the United Presbyterians erected a jjlace of worship 
near Low l*oint. Their exami)le was soon followed l)y the 
Old School Presbyterians, who erected their church in the 
same neighl)orhood. These organizations have each passed 
out of existence. 

In 1855 the new townsliip was organized and the town- 
ship was named Cazenovia. Jeter Foster, Eli Rich, Thomas 
Clark and John Safford had eome from the vicinity of Caz- 
enovia lake. New York, and tliru their iniiuence the new 
township Avas given its })resent name. The first supervisor 
was John W. Acres. 

The lirst postotfice was establislied in 1819 at Low Point. 
It was located a short distance from the present site of the 
village bearing that name. 

The first school house was built of logs and was located 
on Mr. Owen's farm. George W. Taylor and Joseph Perry 
were those who first taught in this building. This was not 
the first school in the toA\ai.ship as ^liss Love K. ]\Iorse. 
had taught in the honu's prior to that. There are now seven 
rural and one graded schools in the townsihp. These ex- 
pend about .t{),OUO in their maintenanee. The Washl)urn 
school is across the line in Alarshall county. 

Cazenovia township now has the following otticers: 
Supervisor, J. 11. Lesch ; clerk, Frank Ehringer ; assessor, 
Thomas McKee; collector, George Garrison; justices, P. F. 
Ileighway and Daniel Jones ; constable, Charles Tjaden, Jr. j 
commissioners, John Held, Frank Loscher, and W. W. Hare. 

Just across the line in Marshall county are several well 
known characters, who have been connected Avith the his- 
tory of this county. Among these is Oliver Fisher, whose 
parents came here in 1859. Among the nienibers of his 



TOWNSHIPS— EL PASO. 43 

family who came here were Elias and Elihu Fisher. The 
sons of Elias Fisher were Isaiah, Jabez, Oliver and Ira, and 
the daughters were Mary and Louisa. Isaiah and Jabez were 
in the Union army. T. H. Vaughn came from Greene county 
in 1850. His memory is filled with interesting data concern- 
ing the early history of Washburn. 

On the completion of the railroad three towns, Wash- 
burn, Low Point and Cazenovia, sprang up. These have be- 
come the center of interest in the historic arena since their 
organization. 

ElPaso. 

Settlers did not come to ElPaso township as "arly as 
to some other regions, but on the comi)l('tion of llie Central 
road, home seekers began to ])e attracted to its borders in 
great numbers. When the Toledo, Peoria and Western road 
was completed thru the township in ]8r)(i, crossing the C-en- 
tral at right angles at ElPaso, the inducement to settlers in 
its precincts was greater than ever. Many of the pioneers of 
the township were residents of the toAvns. There were how- 
ever, settlers there long before the railroads were construct- 
ed or towns were estaldished. In 1835 William, John and 
David Ilibbs settled in the southeastern part of ElPaso 
township. These were perhaps the earliest settlers in that 
region, but there were others who came in a short time. 
Thomas Dixon came to the county in 1838, and first settled 
on the banks of the Mackinaw. Here he had a small mill. 
He later moved to the vicinity of Kappa. Smith Dixon, who 
resides near Kappa now is a sou of Thomas Dixon, the 
pioneer. He has several children who have been prominent 
in the county. E. E. andF. E. Dixon, ElPaso township ; Fred 
of Palestine, and W. 11. Dixon of Kansas. The latter is a 
member of the board of supervisors from his township. The 
daughters are ]\Irs. Charles Metzger and IMrs. William 
Woosley. 

Another pioneer was John Messer, who came from 
Ohio in 1836-'7. Both Mr. Dixon and Mr. Messer were great 
hunters and game was plentiful. Thyre was ajx ^hundancQ 



44 



HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 



to furnish all the meat the pioneer desired. Mr. Messer is 
said to have seen at least sixty deer in a single herd in El 
Paso township. 

John Tucker eanie to Illinois in 18;U and setlh'd in Taze- 
well county. In 1852 he came to the vicinity of Kappa. 
xVmong the living meml)ers of this family are Henry R. 
Tuckei-, of Eureka, and Frank Tucker, of ElPaso. Asa Sparks 
settled at Kai)pa among its earliest residents. Christian 

Schafer was another of 
the pioneers, lie became 
one of the wealthiest men 
of the county. His son, 
F. B. Schafer, is a busi- 
ness man and attorney of 
ElPaso. 

Two others who were 
prominent in I lie enrly 
life of the townsliij) wt're 
IMajor James 11. Wathan 
and George L. Gibson, 
who l)ecame the foun- 
ders of ElPaso. They 
were men of wide in- 
fluence and possessed 
MAJOR J. H. WATHAN considerable wealth 

They came in 1856 and '57, and resided in ElPaso for many 
years. The name, ElPaso, was given to the new town and 
township by Major AVathan, who is said to have suggested 
the name in honor of ElPaso, Texas. The name is Spanish 
and nunms The Pass. 

The first sermon of which we have any record, was de- 
livered in the depot at Kappa, by Rev. Gregg, of Hudson. 
Since then the religious interests have grown until there 
are now ten churches that have organizations in the town- 
ship. These are, however, located in the towns, Kappa and El 
Paso. 




TOWNSHIPS— EL PASO. 



45 



The first school was oi)ened at Kappa about 1856, with 
Miss Matilda Ilassen as the first teacher. The educational 
interests have always received careful attention, and there 

are now two excellent 
graded schools and five 
rural schools in the town- 
ship. The tax levy for 
school purposes will 
reach about eleven thou- 
sand dollars annually. 

The liistory of the 
township is very closely 
associated with the his- 
tory of towns, which is 
discussed in another 
chapter. ElPaso was 
founded April 20, 1854, 
while Kappa was es- 
tal)lished November 6th, 
GEORGE L. GIBSON. 1854. The latter, how- 

ever, first gave promise of a speedy growth. Its name was 
given to it l)y the Central Railroad officials, by whom the 
land on which it was located was owned. 

In the list of supervisors given at the time of the divi- 
sion of the county into townships in 1855, the name of ElPaso 
was not given. It was only a short time, however, until it 
was settled sufficiently to have an organization of its own. 
It was not, however, a full township, being only four miles 
in width. 

The following are the officers: Supervisor, E. A. Childs; 
clerk, John W. Becker ; assessor, D. K. Tobias ; collector, 
C. M Parmalee ; commissioners, E. E. Crawford, John Wads- 
worth, J. N. Valentine ; justices, S. A. Kuhn and F. L. New- 
ton ; constables, Thomas Umbarger and S. J. Moff att. 




CHAPTER V. 

Minonk. 

TTTE history of Minonk townsliip and the City of Mi- 
nonk are almost identical. During the years of 1852 and 
onk are almost identical. During the years of 1852 and 53 
'53 work was being pushed on tlu' Illinois Central 
railroad and a year later trains were running thru 
Minonk. Prior to that time the township had been 
unsettled. It belonged to that prairie region that had 
for so many years been shunned by the pioneer. 
The prejudice against tlie prairies was gradually giv- 
ing way Ix'fore the positive proof of the fertility and 
value. When the Central was completed, it opened a wide 
field for settlement, and advantage was soon taken of the 
cheap lands cou])le(l witli the advantage of raihMad c(m- 
nections. 

The first man to make an actual settlement in the town- 
shi]) was Samuel Work, who came from Pemisylvania to Illi- 
nois in 1831. lie came to Woodford county in 1854, and set- 
tled in Alincmk townshij). He was the first station agent 
and was also elected as tiic first justice of the peace. The 
second man to come was Charles J)()bs()n, whose name fre- 
quently occurs as (me of the promincmt characters of Mi- 
noke. lie erected the first house Ituilt in the township. C. 
W. Goodrich was next in the settlers of the region. 
He erected the second house. Next, Johathan Maeey 
came. Others who were pioneers, were James Par- 
ker and Amerieus Pogue. Tims far the settlers have resided 

(46) 



TOWNSHIPS— I\riNONK. 47 

in the town, but it was not lonfji; before the country surrountl- 
ing was settled. The first man to open a farm was Samuel 
Wiley, who eame from Vernumt in 1855. Thornton Tay- 
lor came there in 1856 from the western part of the county. 
II. A. Christians opened the first lilacksmith shop. 

The first school was taught by Miss Frances Reeder in 
the City of Minonk in 1857. The trustees in 1857 divided 
the township into two districts. This numl)er was increased 
until now there are seven rural and one graded school in 
the townshii). These reipiire an annual levy of more than 
$12,000.00 for their maintenance. 

The first preaching in the townshi]) was done in 1856, 
])y a Presbyterian minister named Frost. The services were 
frequently held at the hotel conducted by Jonathan Macey. 
From this beginning the religious interests have grown until 
there are eight churches in the township, all of them located 
in town. 

There are now two towns in the township ; Minonk, 
founded Nov. 7, 1854, and Woodford, established in 1874. 

When the county was divided into townships in 1855, 
Minonk and Panola were united and the; first list of officers 
is included in the history of Panola. In 1857 the popula- 
tion had increased sufficiently to form Minonk into a sepa- 
rate district. The first ot^cers were as follows : Supervisor, 
George P. Danforth ; clerk, A. L. Pogue; assessor, Charles 
Dobson ; collector, Thomas Reeder ; overseer of the poor, 
Jonathan Macey ; commissioners, George P. Danforth, Sam- 
uel Clegg, John Vance; justice, William Reeves; constal)le, 
Joel B. Pratt, Lewis Fowler ; poundmasters, Jonathan Macey, 
Lewis Fowler, George Danforth ; roadmasters, Lewis Fowler, 
Thornton Taylor, A. H. Danforth. 

The first board of school trustees was L. G. Keedy, 
Charles Dobson and Jackson Parker. 

The township is controlled by the following officers: 
Supervisor, N. L. Davison; clerk, Henry G. llohlen; assessor, 
John Ilertschuh ; collector, Jolin Katzmareek ; commission- 
ers, John Meridan, Edmund loerger, John Waldsehmidt; 



/ 



48 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

justices, Alfred Rogers, Jacob Gerdes, J. C. Wickler; con- 
stables, J. R. Pray, Ollie White, Robert IVIcKay. 

Roanoke. 

Th(^ first settlements in Roanoke township were made 
in the timber southeast of the present site of the village. 
Here as in the other townships of the county the settlers 
were slow to oecu])y the prairie regions. In 1832 Jacob 
Stephenson, formerly a resident of Christian county, Ken- 
tucky, settled in these tim])er lands. He was followed at a 
later period by J. W. Ewing, also from Christian county. 
Joseph AVilkinson, from Indiana, and Joseph Wilson, from 
Tennessee, were on the scene shortly after the arrival of the 
predecessors. The first cabin in the township was built by 
Mr. Stephenson, who sometimes aided his neighbors by do- 
ing blacksmithing for them. Joseph II. Causey was another 
early settler who did blacksmithing. As late as 1850 there 
were but few houses in the township. 

In 1848 Elijah Marshall came to the township from 
Chester, Vermont. He came by water and drove back in a 
short time. In 1850 his father, Thomas Marshall, came and 
settled in the township. Nelson Marshall came at a later 
date. Iliram Barney also came from Chester, Vt., but did 
not arrive until about 1852, coming there from Olney, where 
he had been a short time. The first frame house was built 
l\y Elijah Marshall, as was also the second and the first 
frame barn was also erected by j\tr. IMarshall. In 1855 a 
school was o])ened in the district now known as the Bunch. 
In 1856 ]\Iiss Cinthia Fisher taught just east of Mr. Marsh- 
all's farm. This was the first school taught in that part of 
the county. 

From this bciginning schools nndtiplied as rapidly as the 
needs required. In 1908 there were nine rural and one grad- 
ed school in the township, expending approximately $5,500 
per annum in their support. In 1909 two rural districts 
were united with the town district, reducing th(^ number of 
country schools to seven. 



TOWNSHIPS— ROANOKE. 49 

The oldest churches in the township are hjcated in the 
country. In 1852 the German l^aptist now known as the 
Brethern organized their elinreh, with J. R. and George W. 
Gish as ministers, and five years later their l)uilding Avas 
erected. The church grew. R. C. Bryant relates that the 
building used to l)e crowded at their services twenty-five 
years ago. 

In 1856 the Baptist church was organized by Elder 
Sumner Robinson. This church flourished for many years, 
but was finally al)andoned owing to the removal of its mem- 
bers. Six years ago the building was sold to the Amish, and 
has been remodeled and is now used by them as a place of 
worship. Th(^ Amish have another church in the southern 
part of the township erected in 1875. The Apostolic Chris- 
tian church 1ms a large building southwest of Roanoke. It 
will seat about 700 people and there is a large attendance. 
The organization has branches in both Eureka and Roanoke. 

David T. Fauber, who lieeame one of the founders of 
the village, came to Roanoke township in 1855 He pur- 
chased a farm on which a portion of Roanoke is now located. 
The land was i)urchased for $15 per acre, and is now part of 
the most valuable property in town. The residence formed 
for many years a landmark in tin; village, being locatcnl on 
Broad street. It was built in 1851 by AVilliam Front, and re- 
mained there until a few years ago, when it was removed from 
between the bakery and tailor shop. The name of Mr. Fauber 
is very intimately connected with the early history of Roa- 
noke. Four of the childrcm still reside in Roanoke, Mrs. 
Jennie Ileppard, Mrs. Barbara Cox, J. W. Fauber and E. D. 
Fauber. 

The name of Peter Kennell has been closely identified 
with the financial interests of the township. He settled 
th(»re half a century ago and has amassed great wealth. 

In 1858 Gideon Jeter moved to this county and settled 
in Roanoke township. Later he moved to Greene township. 
At the time he came the prairie was practically unsettled 



50 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COTINTY. 

and one could look across it for miles without seeing' a 
house. Deer were l're(juently seen and it was still a pioneer 
region. Of the children of Mr. Jeter, but one, James Jeter, 
now resides in th county. 

One of the most prominent families in Roanoke was that 
of the Gishes. George Gish was born in Virginia in 1825, 
and in '48 came to Indiana, where he lived until 1850, when 
he came to the vicinity of Roanoke. He lived there until a few 
years before his death, when he moved to Green township. 
He was a minister of the Dunkard church. His death oc- 
curred in 1894. The most prominent members of his family 
are T. W. and L. C. Gish, the former of whom was sheriff 
and later both sheriff and treasurer. 

Gannon Gish also came from Roanoke, Virginia, at the 
same time George came and also settled in Roanoke. Later 
he becanu' sheritf of the county and for many years was 
connected with county affairs, either as official or deputy. 

Chrisley and Abraham Gish also came from Virginia to 
make their home in the new settlement near where Roanoke 
now stands. They were brothers to G(H)rge and Garmon. 

Chrisley Gish, or Uncle Chrisley, as he was familiarly 
called, was the oldest of those who came to Woodford 
county. He was the father of Rufus and John Gish, both of 
whom were Dunkard ministers. John Gish suggested the 
name, Roanoke, as appropriate for the new townshij) and the 
name was later adopted by the village. 

Joseph and William Gish were also pioneers in this 
township. The former still resides in Illinois, but the latter 
moved a few years ago to Nebraska, where both he and his 
wife were killed in a tornado. 

In July, 1851, John A. Woltzen landed in Peoria and 
settled across the river in East Peoria. He lived there until 
the next spring, when Mr. Woltzen died. The family then 
moved onto the prairie in Roanoke township. There Avere 
five sons, Albert, Simon, Henry, John and Ede Woltzen. Of 
these, Simon and Henry were for many years identified with 



TOW NSTTTPS— LINN. 51 

the linsincss affairs of Bi^nson. Albert was Tor soiiictimc 
supervisor from Roanoke township. 

Another family that has been well known in tlu; county 
was that of Samuel Peterson, who came to Roanoke town- 
ship in 1858, from the stnte of New -Tiirsey. He later came to 
Benson, and built the tirst elevator th(U'(^ in 1874-. He lived 
to be 87 years of ag-(» and at the time of his death was an 
extensive land owner. lie was eonsiih'red the wealthiest 
man in Benson. Of his children, Simon. S. L. Peterson and 
Mrs. James Jeter still reside in the county. 

In 1855 the county was divided and the njiiiu' Roanoke 
was given to the townshij), it Ix'ing' sugj^'ested by 
John Gish in lionor of Roanoke, Virginia, his old 
home, April ."{rd of that year the first township elec- 
tion was held, resulting- in the selection of the fol- 
lowing : Supervisor, David S. lirown ; clerk, James 
Stephenson; assessor, John TI. Gish; collector, Ben- 
jamin Sanborn ; highway commissioners, S;iimi(d Stitt, 
Emerald Fisher and Joseph Brubaker; constables, Charles 
Stoller and Joseph Gish; magistrates, G;irmon Gish' and 
John Franz. 

Thirty votes were cast at that election. The country 
districts grew gradually until the completion of the rail- 
road, when the growth became much more rapid. 

The present officers are as follows: Sup(M'visor, C F. 
Yeck; clerk, J. W. Faub(^r; assessor, J. E. Wolt/en; collector 
Arthur Veuve; connnissioners, John Beer, Jr., John Sehla- 
bach, Wm. Zeiger; justices, W. A. Porch, E. M. Cox ; eon- 
stables, J. W. Fauber, W. F. Brown. 

Linn. 

Linn township, which was named in honor ()f the Linn 
family, was settled somewhat later than Ca/.enovia on the 
west, but more than a decade earlier than Clayton on the 
east. Probably the first family to settle in Linn township was 
that of Harrison Ilollenback, who came from Ohio, in 1840. 
He was soon after followed by George Ilollenback, who 



52 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

lived across the line of Marshall county with his father, 
Daniel Ilollenback. They came there from Ohio in 1885, 
making the journey in wagons, cooking and camping on the 
way. Daniel Ilollenback later moved to Minonk, where he 
resided at the time of his death. A short time after 1844, 
when George came, he was followed by Jacob Ilollenback. 
The latter still resides in Woodford county, being of a ripe 
old age. 

These were soon followed by Williaui and Simeon Linn, 
and 1)3^ John P. Davison, who was a member of the Davison 
family so prominently named in the history of Clayton town- 
ship. 

Amos West, Alfred Coombs, Samuel Jackman, II. Simp- 
son, John and Isaac Fisher, Joseph Martin, Benjamin Wil- 
son, William Parks and Lewis Wyanteer were the earliest 
settlers. 

West of Benson in Linn townshi}) we find a region that 
is now called the Tjaden settlement, from the number of 
Tjadens who own and occupy land in that vicinity. Jacob 
II. Tjaden came to that township in 1857, and purchased a 
farm. lie was the father of Ileika, John, Menka, Henry, 
Jacol), Ludwig and Ilermon Tjaden. John F., represented 
Linn township on the board of supervisors for several years. 
Ludwig Tjaden is at present supervisor. Another family of 
the same name came there at an early date. George Tjaden 
was th(! first representative^ of this family. Charles Tjaden 
oF Low Point is the only child of this pioneer who still re- 
sides in the county. 

In L855 Wirt Folkers came to Linn townshi]^ from 
Germany. lie settled on Section IG, which was the school 
section. Of this family, but two sons, Charles and John 
Folk(!rs, both of Clayton townsliip, reside in the county. 
Both are well advanced in age, and are able to tell many 
stories of pioneer life. Charles Folkers rememliers that when 
they planned to go onto the prairie, their Germantown 
friends told them they could not be induced to go onto the 



TOWNSHIPS— LINN. 53 

])rairie if they were given an eighty. Time soon proved that 
the prairie hmd was far better than the timbered hills. The 
winters then were much more severe than now, and he re- 
members that for tlaee months he did not have his team 
liitelied to anything but a sled. Another brother Fred, was 
killed in a runaway accident. 

Among the other early settlers from Germany were 
Folkert IMonk, who also came in 1855, and Eilert Harms, 
who settled in Linn township in 185G. 

William and Thomas Jury were among the pioneers, l)ut 
loth have within recent years passed away. Bazil, Josiali 
and Richard Turner were also well knoAvn settlers. ]\larshall 
Smilie is another of the pioneers, and Weldon Smilie, well 
known in Clayton, formerly resided in Linn. 

Rowland Davison came from Groveland and settled 
near the present site of the Washington school. 

In 1855 Clayton and Linn townships elected the follow- 
ing as the- first corps of township officials: Supervisor, Isaac 
Fisler; collector, John B. Fisher; overseer of the poor, 
Harrison Simpson ; assessor, William Jury ; clerk, Jesse 
Pickard; commissioners, James M. INlartin and Cyrus Acres; 
constable, Angus Thom. This union of toAvnships was main- 
tained until 1859, when the population was sufficient to 
divide. 

The present list of townshi}) officials is as follows: Sup- 
ervisor, Ludwig Tjatlcn; clerk, Ed. Underwood; collector, 
AVilliam Danun-ell ; commissioners, John Geyman, Brachter 
Flohr, Henry Matter; justice, AV. T. Wallace; constable, 
William Reinken. 

The ffrst school in the township was held in 1852, and it 
is known as the Vernon school. The system has met with 
satisfactory growth. Tliere are now nine schools in the town- 
ship, expending annually about three thousand dollars for 
their maintenance. 

The religious interests of the township are looked after 
by two Lutheran churches. In 1860 a number of German 
Lutherans went to Rev, Held of the Lutheran church in Pe- 



54 



HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 





TRINITY GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH. 



TOWNSHIPS— LINN. 



55 



'VS^^"*^"*. 









EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. 



56 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

oria with a plea for pastoral care. Their petition was granted, 
and a member presented the new organization two acres of 
land and a house on Panther creek in Roanoke township 
for a meeting place. In 1863 40 acres of land were purchased 
and the present church was erected. The other church was 
tl.en used as a school house The first pastor was V. F. 
Warnke. Since tl:e erection of the present building numerous 
changes and improvements have been made. The present 
pastor, Rev. D. M. Ficken, has served his charge longer than 
any other pastor in the county. lie came to that church in 
]879, and has l)een in constant service for more than thirty 
years. 

In Octol)er, 1871, a second Lutheran church was organiz- 
ed and was affiliated with the church at Secor until 1874, 
wl;en Pastor Carl Weber, of Gilbert, Penn., was called to the 
charge. Ti:e next pastor was Theo. Pissel, who served the 
church faithfully for nineteen years. January, 181)9, the 
present pastor. Rev. J. B. Graupner, formerly of I\It. Carroll, 
ill., took the position. During ten years he has faithfully 
served his church in that capacity 

Panola. 

Panola township geographically coincides with the 
congressional township which is designated as township 27 
north, range 2 east of the '-h'd Principal Meridian. It is 
therefore a full township. There were few settlers in that 
vicinity prior to the building of the Illinois Central railroad. 
As in other regions thru which the Central passed, the com- 
pletion of the road was the signal for its rapid settlement. 

In 1836 John Brewer came to the township and became 
the first actual settler. It was not until 1851 and '52 that he 
was followed l)y others. George AV. Kingston settled there in 
1851 and Edward Waldron and family came in 1852. Dennis 
Sharp was an early settler, and, continued to make his home 
there for many years. 

Willian Crosley came there in 1854, and F. Y. Barnard 
moved to the township from Greene about the same time, 



TOWNSHIPS— MONTGOJMERY AND KANSAS 57 

Robert McClellaud caine a year later and was chosen the 
first member of the board of supervisors from Panola town- 
ship. In a short time William Tompkins came from New 
York, James Dye, from Virginia, and Henry Saltsman from 
New York. Jacob C. Myers and his brother, 0. P. A. Myers, 
who had previously lived in Greene township, came to Pan- 
ola in 18-15 and '56. Levi ITodson came from Tazewell county 
so that by the close of 1855 there were sixteen families. 

AVhen the county Avas organized into townships in 1855, 
tMM) townships, IMinonk and Panola, Avere united in a single 
precinct, and at the first election chose the following offi- 
'^jers: Supervisor, Kol)ert A. IMcClelland ; assessor, William 
Tompkins; clerk, Horace G. Allen; overseer of the poor, 
William A. Crosley ; highway commissioners, Francis I. 
Barnard, Joseph Ilanna, Thomas Patterson ; c{)nstal)les, Wil- 
liam II. Brewer and Charles Dobson ; nuigistrates, Samuel G. 
Lewis and Samuel AVork ; overseer of roads, James Dye. 
This union of townships continued until 1857, when Minonk 
was separated from Panola, the population at that time hav- 
ing become sufficient to warrant such a separation. 

The first school in Panola township was taught by Jane 
Nesmith in 1857. The building Avas erected in the village 
at a cost of $600. Prom that time the number of schools in- 
creased as the groAving population demanded. The toAA'^nship 
has ten schools Avith more than four thousand dollars ex- 
pended annually in tlie cause of education. 

The toAAaiship has the following officers : Supervisor, 
Theobald Stimpert ; clerk, William Oberlander; assessor, 
LcAvis Kingdon ; collector, C. W. Major; commissioners, 
John Krug, Dan Longman, justices, N. S. de Vries, Ed. Bur- 
roughs; constables. Almond Drury, Alichel Danner. 
Montg-omery and Kansas. 

Montgomery and Kansas toAvnships occupy the southern 
part of AVoodford county, and each has a broken boundary 
line. Altho of irregular shape Montgomery is almost the 
equivalent of a full congressional toAvnship, its area being 
thirty-six square miles, The latter has an area slightly greats 



58 HISTORY OF WOODFORD (JOUNTY. 

er than half a toAvnship This territory is crossed by the 
Mackinaw river and several of its branches, and a large 
area is covered with timber. While much of this has been 
cleared, there is still mneh of the land that is not under 
cultivation 

Kansas is one of the townships of the county that has no 
towns .within its borders, aad has never had a postoffice 
The region was settled at an early date, and within a few 
years a number of families had been attracted to the region. 
As early as 1828 Robert and Samuel Phillips came to Illi- 
nois and shortly after settled in Woodford county. James 
Phillips also came a little later. The former of these died in 
1835 and was the first death of which we have any record 
in that vicinity. Prominent among the names of the early 
settlers stands that of Carlock. In 1838 Abraham W. Car- 
lock came to the vicinity, and a year later was followed by 
his brother. These pioaeers came from Tennessee, as did 
Isaac Allen and Zachary Brown. Among the names of Car- 
lock are the following descendants of these worthy pioneers: 
John J. and Winton, sons of Reuben Carlock, and John G., 
William and A. II., sons of Abraham Carlock. The little town 
across the line in McLean bears the family name. Zachary 
Brown came to the county in the early thirties and was later 
followed by his brother Jnmes. Two sons of the former, Eli 
S. and Warren Brown remained in the county while another 
son, Ellis, lived in JMcLean. When Mr. Brown came to the 
vicinity there was no house between his cabin and Bloora- 
ington. James, AVilliam and John Benson were settlers who 
came before the breaking out of tlie Black Ilawk war, as 
James and John took i)art in that struggle, as did also James 
V. Phillips, Samuel Kirkpatrick. Thomas and Elisha Dixon 
came from Ohio at a very early date. Adam Moore and his 
father, M^illiam C. IMoore, were pioneers in the county. Daniel 
Allison came from Ohio in 1831 and settled near Farnisvillo. 
Marvin and James Allison, who have been widely known 
thruout the county, were his sons. liCwis Stephens came 
from Ohio in 1833 and purchased land. His son, Adam 



township;^— MONTGOAIERY AND KANSAS. 59 

Stephens, has been eh)sely identified with the political life 
of his township, havinji;' represented Montgomery on the 
lioard of supervisors. James Vance came from Christian 
county, Kentucky, and when he settled there in 1835 found 
a number of families there before him. Christian and Peter 
Farni, whose names figured so largely in the history of 
Farnisville, were natives of Prance. Peter Farni, of Eureka, 
is a son of the former. Joseph Gingerich, who came in 1833 
was associated with Peter Farni in building the saw mill on 
the Mackinaw\ James Harlan came from Kentucky, in 1833. 
lie was the father of J. N. Harlan who lived in Eureka and 
bought stock there and grain in Cruger. 

Mortimer Robinson came from Ohio in 1838, and in 1842 
moved from Tazewell county to Montgomery township. He 
was the father of II. M. and James Robinson. The former is 
the most extensive stock raiser in the county, as well as one 
of its wealthiest men. His business requires many 'hundreds 
of acres of land in the southern part of Woodford county, 
and his shipments are heavy 

The pioneer preacher of this vicinity was Rev. John 
Dunham, who proclaimed the gospel both in Kansas and 
Montgomery townships. The first church was organized at 
the home of James Vance under the leadership of Rev. Isaac 
Newell, in 1838. This was the first Baptist church in the 
county. Another x>ioneer minister was Rev. Abner Peeler, 
who was both preacher and teacher. His name holds a promi- 
nent place in the history of the Christian church in this 
county. Among other good works, he was the organizer of 
the Christian church at Roanoke. James Wells was another 
of the early leaders in the religious life of the people in the 
southern part of the county. He frequently preached and 
was I'or a number of years superintendent of a Sunday school 
near the present site of Goodfield. Theodore Haze preached 
for the United Rrethern near that place for many years. 
Their church was built about 1866. 

Jacob Simjison, father of H. IT. Simpson, came at a 
later date with Elias and Adam Neff. Mr. Simpson reports 



60 HISTORY OF AYOODFORD COUNTY. 

that as late as 1850 he saw as many as twenty-five deer in a 
single herd. 

Andrew Galhreath was another who cauie at an early 
date. A family 1li;it has had nuieh to do with the growth 
of the southern i)arts of the county is that of Finley. The 
first of these was James Finley, who eame here prior to the 
organization. He was a member of the first grand jury ever 
chosen in the county. Andrew Galbreath was chosen as a 
member of the first petit jury in 18-11. Later John and 
Robert Finley came, and finally John Finley, !Sr. James and 
George Finley followed in the steps of their forerunners. 

The fii'st school in ]\lontgomery townshij) was taught by 
]\Iary Ann Brown in 1843- '4-1, in a log house. Prior to this 
Rev. Al)ner Peeler liad taught a school across the line in 
]\IcLean county, which was attended by a large nundjer of 
children from Kansas township. It was not until about 1850 
that a school house was I)uilt in Kansas, altho the children 
had school advantages prior to that time. The township now 
has four schools that are maintained at an annual cost of 
about $1,600. ^Montgomery townsliip now has six schools. 
Prior to 1908 there were eight schools, but in that year the 
new consolidated school at Gongerville was completed, and 
the schools in district 109, 112 and 118 were abandoned. The 
school l)uilding in Cougerville is the first consolidated 
school in AVoodford county. It was erected at a cost of about 
ten thousand dollars. Three teachers are employed, with J. 
C. Whetzel as principal. High school w^ork has been intro- 
duced and the attendance is quite large. Goodfield also has 
a graded school. A neat two-room brick structure was 
erected in 1907. 

The earliest business enterprise was a blacksmith shoj), 
one being conducted by a man named Craig in Kansas town- 
ship, and another being opened in Montgomery township 
ibjit a short time afterward. 

Montgomery township was organized at the time of the 
division of the county into townships and James Vance was 
first supervisor. The name for the new township was sug- 



TOWNSHIPS— MONTGOMERY AND KANSAS, 61 

gested by John Wells who was at one time a resident. Kan- 
sas township was originally a part of Palestine township, 
l)Ut was separated in 1859. j\Ir. Vance, who was still super- 
visor, suggested the name of Kansas for the newly organiz- 
ed township. The first postoffiee was at Parnisville, Init it 
was not continued a great while. There was none after 
that until the completion of the railroad when offices were 
soon established at both Goodfield and Congerville. 

John Wells conducted a saw mill on Ilohulin's place 
near where Goodfield now stands, and James Wells made all 
the coffins needed in that vicinity. Another feature of IMont- 
gomery township was Clark's quarry, which was on Henry 
I. Clark's farm. Many a liouse in the southern part of the 
county has a cellar walled with stones from this quarry or a 
foundation built from there. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Palestine. 

PALESTINE towiislii]), Avliit-li (U'rives its name from the 
Holy Land, was settled at a \-ery early date. The south- 
ern part of the territory along Panther ereek was settled 
first. 

Francis M. AVillis eame from the vicinity of Eureka 
about 18.j2, but found that he had been preceded by Josiah 
and Campbell j\ioore and also l)y James and Aaron. Richard- 
son, the former of whom came in 1830, and the latter the 
year following. The Moores built a mill, which eventually 
passed into the hands of Mr. AVillis. As mentioned more 
fully in the history of Bowling Green, that town was the 
first in the township, being laid out in 1836 by Francis M. 
AVillis, while Aaron Richardson laid out an addition in 1837. 

One of the most striking figures in the early history of 
Palestine was Rev. James Robeson for years known far and 
wide as "Uncle Jimmy" Robeson, lie came from Christian 
county, Kentucky, and settled first in AValnut Grove in 1835. 
Later he oi)ened a store at Bowling Green. He beg;in 
preaching when he was twenty years old, and preached for 
seventy years. Tie died in 1888 aged 91 years. Tie was tlie 
father of ten children, Polly A. Jennings, Martha P. AVolley, 
Elizabeth J. Hughes, AV. II., Thomas P., J. AV., John E., C. 
A., M. A. and Albert E. Robeson. C. A. Robenson Avas 
sheriff of AVoodford county, and his son, E. E. Robeson is a 
rising attorney at Eureka. 

Samuel Arnold and Allen Hart were also pi.)i:eer set- 

(62) 



TOWNSHIPS— PALESTINE. 63 

tler«, tliL' latter l)eing the first supervisor from I'alestine 
towiislii]). He caiiie from New York in 1836, and settled in 
what was then known as the Palestine Prairie. William 
Lucas came from Kentucky in 1840, John G. Moh'' came ironi 
Germany in 1836. Ephriam and Samuel Potter aawv. from 
the east, being born in Carolina. Among the later comers 
who have, played a prominent part in the history of the 
towTiship can be mentioned the following : Joseph Frey, 
Sr., came to Palestine in 1858. Since that time the family 
has been one of the most prominent in the county. The 
children were Joseph Frey, who resided near and in Secor 
for many years; William Frey, Mains, Iowa; INIrs. Marion 
Potter, Secor. At the present time his grandson, C. W. Frey, 
is a j)rominent citizen and business man of Secor. William 
Billinger came from Eaton, Ohio, Avith Joseph Frey, the 
journey being made overland in a wagon. Anderson Van 
Seyoe came to Woodford county in 1835 and has since be- 
come an extensive land owner. He was supervisor for sever- 
al years. John A. Van Seyoe, his son, was widely known in 
the county for many years. 

John Colburn came to the township in 18-12, coming 
originally from Grafton county, New Hampshire, altho he 
made several stops on his journey westward. His son, Rich- 
ard 0. Colburn, had a prominent place among the farmers 
and stock raisers of the county. The sons of the latter, Wil- 
liam, John and Cecil, still farm in the vicinity. Byron is 
deputy county clerk, while Gary was for some years con- 
nected with educational work in Japan. 

Christian Deiner came in 1855, and settled on the, farm 
now OAvned by his son, L. R. Deiner. The latter occupied 
the farm himself for many years, but recently moved to 
Secor. 

As suggested in the history of Greene township a num- 
ber of representatives of the Armstrong family reside in 
Palestine. / W. H. Armstrong lives near Secor and is a 
member of the Board of Directors of the public school. 



64 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

John Arrastrono; is also a resident of Secor, one of his sons. 
Clarence, being in business there. Mrs. Polly Ann Arm- 
strong still resides there, as do also a nnml^er of the younger 
members of that family. 

Merritt, Green and William Patterson came at a later 
date, but have been identified with movements for tli" ad- 
vancement of the county since their coming. 

John Bloodsworth is one of the pioneers, coming from 
England at an early date and working in this and Tazewell 
counties. He now owns a farm in Roanoke and another in 
Palestine townships. 

Among the later comers is one of the most widely 
traveled men in the county, Thomas Jones. A native of 
P^ngland, the years of his early manhood were spent on the 
sea, where he made a number of voyages. Since coming to 
Palestine township he has resided southeast of Secor. 

Among the churches in the country may be mentioned 
the Christian church erected on the prairie in 1874. The 
German Evangelical built in 1875 and the Centennial church 
erected by the Methodists and United Brethern in 1876. Rev. 
James Robeson and Rev. John Oatman were the pioneer 
preachers of the township. Another minister whose name 
has been connected with the township for many years, was 
A. Q. Wilson. He has but recently answered the summons 
to go into the great beyond. He has been connected with the 
church of Christ for almost a life time. His widow still re- 
sides in Secor. 

The officers are as follows: Supervisor, AVm. Colburn ; 
clerk, William Dehority; assessor, 0. J. Gish ; conuiiission- 
ers, J. AV. Brown, John VanScyoc ; collector, II. R. Brown ; 
justices, B. E. Tribbey, Joseph Woods, Sr. ; constal)les, G. E. 
Heinrich and Walter S. Sparks. 

Clayton. 

Clayton townshi]) belongs to that part of the county 
which was of more recent settlement. Sixty years ago it. 
was an unsettled prairie, today its' prairie lands are worth 



TOWNSHIPS— CLAYTON. 



65 




more than $200 per acre, since they lie in one of the richest 
sections of the county. 

The first actual settle- 
ment made within the 
borders of Clayton town- 
ship was by John Linn, 
whd belonged to the 
family of Linns who set- 
tled the township which 
bears their name. This 
settlement occurred in 
1854, and shortly after- 
ward James Livingston 
came and made his home 
in the township. As so 
frequently occurred, the 
coming of one member 
of a family brought 
others and in 1857, Mi- 
chael Livingston, a 

brother of James, came D. H. DAVISON. 

from New Hampshire and settled in the township. 
Other settlers soon followed and at once began to 
improve their farms, humble tho these improvements 
were. Milton Hicks and Jefferson Shepler were 
among these early comcxs. 

The year following witnessed the coming of the Davi- 
son family from New York. There were four of the Davi- 
son brothers who came to Illinois. Three of them settled in 
Woodford county, the fourth, Asa, settled in Fulton 
county and became editor of the Canton Register. In 1855 
John M. Davison settled in Clayton township, and two years 
later was followed by Norman L. Davison. The other 
brother, Rowland, had come at an early date from New 
York for the purpose of investigating Illinois, and purchas- 
ed government land near Groveland. In 1856 he moved to 
Linn township. The Davisons have been closely identified 



6(i HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

with till! interests and yrowth of the county. They descend- 
ed iTom patriotic parents, their grandl'atlier liaving been a 
sohlier in the r(!VoIutionary war. John M. Davison was 
eh'cted scliool trustee at the tirst election in the townshi[). 
Three of the Davison family have served as county officers, 
!'. 11. l)a\'ison ;is treasurer, D. W. Davison as coroner, and 
I). 11. l);i\ison has served all told ;»() years as surveyor. 

The year of 1855 witnessed the coining of many set- 
th-rs. Among these was Jacob McChesney, who came t'rt)m 
Rennselear county, New York. He still resides in the 
county having retired from the farm, and is living in j\Ii- 
iionk. His son, Edward 1). McChesney, still resides in the 
township. The same yiuir that these came to Woodford 
Wait ITphoff came to Peoria from Germany and two years 
sons, Adam W., Bart W., John W. and Bernhard W. Uphoif. 
These with numerous grand-children have been closely con- 
n(!cted with the farming community about Benson. 

Henry Lolines was among the early settlers From 
Rennselear county. New York, being attracted here l)y re- 
])orts of the productiveni'ss of the soil. 

In 185t) Henry Alemmen came to the township, having 
come from Germany to Peoria in the early '50 's. lie resided 
there for a short time ])efore moving out to the prairies. 
His widow, who now resides in Benson, has many pleasant 
memories of the little house that was their tirst home in this 
county. There were pioneer hardships to be sure, but there 
were pleasures, too, that counter-balanced these. Other set- 
tlers of this region were Josiah Gardner, Samuel Knowles 
and Jacob Robinson. 

In 1858 F. D. Learned came to the toA\Tishii) from Lee 
county, having originally come from New Hampshire. Foi 
many years he identified himself with the business ami 
j)olitical life of the county. He has been succeeded by his 
son, F. E. Learned. 

In 1857 the Tallyn family came to the western part of 
the township. Joseph and Anthony Tallyn coming from 



TOWNSHIPS— CLAYTON. 67 

Kickapoo in l'(M)ria (rounty, within a few months of each 
other. 

William Worlhinglon came in 1855. Another family 
that has taken a prominent ])lace in the life of the county 
has been that of John G. Ilindert, Avho came to Marshall 
county from Germany in 1854. In 1858 they settled in the 
eastern part of Clayton township on the farm occupied by 
Mrs. U. J. Ilindert. M^hen Mr. Ilindert came to this county, 
]\Iinonk had but twenty-four houses. His daughter, ]\Irs. 
Barney Brockling, resides across the road from her father's 
farm, while his sons, George, Joseph and John Ilindert, are 
later came to the township. He was the father of four 
residents of Minonk township. A later settler, whose family 
has been prominent in the affairs of the county, was Adam 
Eckhart, whose sons, J. E., Henry and Edward, are connect- 
ed with the l)usiness afi'airs of Benson. That the growth was 
at tirst gradual, may l)e concluded from the fact tluit when 
Peter Gommels settled there in 1869, there were but few 
l;ouses. These w(^re small and frecjuently had l)ut two 
rooms. The prairies were covered with sloughs and ponds 
in rainy seasons, that made a great deal of waste land. Now 
the entire townshij) is drained, and practically all is under 
cultivation. 

The early political life of Clayton towusliip was in con- 
nection with Linn, as they did not have a sufficient number 
of inhabitants to form two voting precincts in 1855. For 
this reason the minutes of the first meeting of the l)()ard of 
sujjervisors at Metamora April 16th, of that year, show Linn 
and Clayton townships represented by a single supervisor, 
Isaa<3 Fisher. This did not continue a great while, however, 
for in 1859 the townships were divided. Tlie first officers 
of Claj^ton elected that year were as folloAVs : Supervisor, J. 
P. Robinson ; Clerk, Henry Lohnes ; assessor, James Living- 
ston ; collector, J. Foraey ; poor master, Thomas Shreeves ; 
magistrates, F. P. Tuthill. and F. H. Lockwood ; commis- 
sioners, Hiram Livingston, William Linn and C. N. Darling; 
constables, C. H. Robinson and W, Cole. 



68 HISTORY OF WOODFORD (JOUNTY. 

The first church to organize in the township was soutii- 
east of the present site of Benson. 

In 1859 the CUayton Baptist church was founded by 
Rev. M. L. Fuller. Services were first held at the home of 
James Iluxtable. Later services AV(!re held at the seiiool 
house. The organization gave promise of growtli, and in 
1866 a church was erected two riiiJes east and one mile south 
of the present site of the town. The oi-;.iaiJizatioti had about 
thirty-five membeis, and the following winter a large nura- 
l)er were converted. Their first pastor was Rev. William 
Parker, who was followed by his brother, Rev. Moses Park- 
er. Services continued to be held there until about twenty 
years ago, when they were abandoned, and the church was 
moved away. The site of the church is marked by the Clay- 
ton cemetery. 

On the establishment of the town, churches multiplied 
and the new structures were located in town. 

The first school in the township was taught by P. II. 
Davison, but there was no school house at that time. A year 
later, in 1855 a little school house was erected with Jacob Mc- 
Chesney as teacher. This later become known as the Jef- 
ferson school. In 1856 the township was divided into nine 
districts, altho some of these had no school for several years. 
There are now eight rural and one graded school in Clayton, 
and they expend $6,500 annually for school purposes. 

The northern part of the township has been known for 
many years as Yankeetown. The road east from the Wash- 
ington school house was bordered by houses erected by 
settlers from the eastern states, hence the appropriateness 
of the name. For many years there was a postoffice at 
Yankeetown, but on the institution of the rural mail service 
this office was abandoned and the patrons were attached to 
one of the Minonk routes. The office was in the home of P. 
H. Davison and later of his son, Paul. The mail was carried 
from Minonk by a carrier. 

The following are the township officers: Supervisor, 



TOWNSHIPS— GREENE. 69 

Bartlett W. U|)hoff; clerk, J. W. lleikcii; assessor, Frank 
Vogel ; collector, William Reinken; justice of the peace, J. 
C. Silldortif and D. Davis; constables, Enn Oltuian and W. 
C. ]\Ionk; coinniissioners, Joseph Bucklear, Mike Fisher, W. 
F. Uphofif:'. 

Greene. 

Greene is one of those townships that has no town lo- 
cated within its borders, jiltho there were stores there at an 
early date. The tinil)er hinds along Panther Creek proved 
an inviting field for early settlers, Avho believed that lands 
on which tind)er would not grow were not fit for farming. 
The toMaishii) was settled at an early date, but was not set- 
tled rapidly. In 1840 there were but a dozen families with- 
in its borders. The first settlers came to that region in 1829, 
from the vicinity of Overton, Tenn. William, Alh^n, AVins- 
low and Almira Patrick were among those, who m-ule a 
permanent settlement. Amasa Stout settled there but only 
remained a short time. Of the former family, two, William 
and AVinslow Patrick, lie buried in the cemetery on the west 
bank of Panther creek. The latter met his d(»ath while as- 
sisting young l>ilbrey, who came in 1830, in the erection of 
his cabin. His head was crushed between the wagon and a 
log. ^Ir. l>ill)rey remained there several years before mov- 
ing to ]\Ioney Creek in JMcLean county. In 1831 the first 
child born in the township was born to them. His daughter, 
Mrs. Armstrong, who resides in Secor, tells many interest- 
ing stories of their pioneer life, altho she only remembers 
them as they were told to her. The early comers met v/ith 
many trying experiences. They had to l)uild their own 
cabins, and whih; they were doing this, they slept in rail 
pens, covered with slough grass. There were dangers 
from exposure, from privation and from the Indians, altho 
the latter never really molested them. The Black Hawk 
war came on and stories of massacres created a feeling of 
■4read among isolated settlers, and caused them to seek 
shelter in the older communities. 

In 1832 Thomas McCord, who was a relative of the early 



70 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

comers, came to the township. Originally he had come from 
the same place in Tennessee, but had lingered on the way. 
Abram llahn and Jacob Kindelsbeyer came from Ohio, and 
F. Y. Barnard, from Tennessee. Others followed slowly, 
but the real growth of the township did not begih until the 
construction of the Illinois Central. Prior to 1854 there 
was a })ostoffice at the home of Francis Y. Barnard, known 
as Josephine, but upon the completion of the Central road 
it was transferred to Panola. 

The name of Armstrong has figured prominently in the 
history of the township. John and Alex Armstrong were 
the pioneers, and had much to do with the development of 
the; neighborhood. Among the younger generation were, 
William, Garret, Alex, Steven, James, Rankin, John and 
Miles Armstrong. There are still four representatives of the 
family residing in Greene, John, Festus, Henry and Grant. 
Several reside in Secor, among them being Mrs. Rankin 
Armstrong, John and Miles Armstrong. These with their 
children, have been well known in that vicinity for many 
years. 

In 1854 John Cauley came to Greene township from 
Roanoke, Virginia, and in 1856 they were followed l)y An- 
drew Ruddell. The widow of the latter still lives in the 
county, being a resident of Benson. 

Michael Evey came to Woodford county from Ohio in 
1852. The family originally came from Pennsylvania, but 
had remained a short time in Ohio l)efore coming on to 
Illinois. John Evey, a son of Michael, came on the train 
with th(^ women and children of the party, whicii was ma.le 
uj) of twelve families. The men drove overland to their des- 
tination. The family of Mr. Evey settled in Greene lownsliip 
where they resided many years. Among the children, who 
were well laiown in the county, were, Mrs. William Megin- 
nis, Mrs. John Frantz, Michael Evey, Jr., David and John M. 
Evey. Of the family, S. M. Evey, a son of the las^, named, is 
the sole representative in Woodford county, and still resides 



TOWNSHIPS— GREENE. 71 

in Greene township, where he is a prosperous farmer. 

James Iluxtable came to the county in the latter part ot 
the fifties, and at once took a prominent part in the afifairs 
of the community, being especially interested in the work 
of the Clayton church, llis children have been identified 
with the political and business life of the county in manj' 
ways, l)eing especially connected with the interests of Clay- 
ton and Greene. One of his sons, Thomas, held th(> office of 
county clerk at the time of his death. 

Sebastian Vogel settled in the township in 1857, He was 
the father of Frank, John, William, Tony, Henry, Joseph and 
Sebastian Vogel, Mrs. Caroline Kaj^raun and Mrs. iVIaiy 
Hummell. The descendants of Mr. Vogel occupy a wi.^e scopo 
of territory in the township and own hundreds of acres of its 
best lands. This region is known as the Vogel settlement. 

Mathias Williamson came to Greene township from 
Butler county, Ohio, and settled a mile north of Secor. He 
had four sons, who still reside in the county, two in Secor 
and two in ElPaso : James A. Williamson, present postmaster 
of Secor ; William N. Williamson, also of that place ; John 
II. and Louis W^illiamson of ElPaso. Other names promi- 
nent among early settlers were those of William Marshall, 
James Miller, Samuel and Richard Patton, Simpson and Wil- 
liam McCord. An old settler in the county, altho a more 
recent comer in the township, is Abbo A. Koerner, who from- 
erly lived between Eure'ia and Secor. 

Judge George W. Patton, who has since won a high 
position as an attorney and judge, was born in Greene town- 
ship. He is now .judge of the circuit in which Woodford 
county is located and resides at Pontiac. 

Jonathan Wilson came with his father, Nathanial Wil- 
son, to iMetamora in 1835, and moved to Greene township in 
1850. He carried the chain while engaged in the survey- 
ing of county lines almost seventy years ago. lie was quite 
young at the time, but rememl)ers many experiences met 
with while he was engaged in the work. They ran across 



72 



IIISTOKY OF WOODFORD COUNTY 




Giant Tree Found on C. M. Stephenson's Farm in 
Greene Township, 



TOWNSHIPS— GREENE. 73 




A. H. BRUBAKER. 



74 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

some Indian corn cribs that were nothing more nor less than 
trenches dug in the ground. Mr. Wilson has made his home 
in the county since that time with the exception of the last 
few years, which have been spent in California. Three of his 
children, Frank and Ed. Wilson, and Mrs. Emma Kindig 
still reside in the township. 

Wm. W. Wood settled in Greene township in 1856. His 
son, J. G. Wood, has resided in the county the entire time, 
with the exception of four years. He now resides in Secor. 

A. II. Brubaker came there in 1856 and became a promi- 
nent figure in the political life of the township and county. 
He has held numerous i)rominent positions, having been 
supervisor several terms and in 1886 was elected to the state 
legislature. In 1884 he moved to Benson and has been close- 
ly connected with its business interests, being now at the 
head of the Farmers' Bank. Mr. Brubaker was the first 
man to haul a load of tile onto a Greene township farm. His 
plan was ridiculed hy some of his neighbors, but its success 
soon led them to follow his example. 

The Hammers family also came to Greene township at an 
early date, Joseph, Samuel and James Hammers being among 
the pioneers. Isaac Hammers, a younger memlier of the 
same family, is now a well known attorney of ElPaso, and at 
one time represented this district in the state legislature. 

During the '50 's a store was conducted near the ceme- 
tery on Panther creek. It was owned and managed by Gabe 
Woods and as a result the vicinity was known as Gabetown. 
A saw mill was operated there by James Carroll. There was 
also another store conducted by Isaac Hammers and William 
Crosley, but it was moved to Panola, when the Central was 
completed. 

In 1855 Greene township was created in the division of 
the county into townships, the following officers were elected 
as the first township officiary : Supervisor, J. R. Gaston ; 
clerk, G. S. Wood ; collector, D. T. Patterson ; magistrates, 
Benjamin Sample and William Harper; constal)les, J. F. 
Stephenson and J. F. Mohr. 



TOWNSHIPS— GREENE. 75 

The first school was taught in a little log school house 
in 1840, with William Armstrong as the first teacher. This 
met the needs of the township for many years. In 1856 the 
Willow Tree school was built. Schools have multiplied since 
then, until there are now seven schools in the township, with 
an annual expenditure for school purposes exceeding !i^2,r)00. 

There are no churches in the township, altho for a num- 
ber of years services have been held in the town hall, the 
Christian, Methodist and Evangelical churches having held 
services there at various times. In the early days many 
of the people worshipped in what was afterward known as 
the Clayton Baptist church. Still others formed the begin- 
ning of the Panola Baptist church, it t)eing first known as the 
Willow Tree church. Many of the people worship at the 
Dunkard church, which is just across the line in Roanoke . 
township. Still others worship in the adjoining towns. 

In 1876 the town hall was erected near the center of the 
township, and has since served the purpose of a general 
meeting place for the people. It is also used as a place of 
worship. 

Altho Greene township has no city in its boundries, it 
has sent forth an unusually large number of men prominent 
in political life. Among these may lie named the following: 
A. II. Brul)aker and Isaac B. Hammers, members of the leg- 
islature; T. W. and L. C. Gish, sheriffs; L. C. Gish, treasurer; 
G. AV. Patton, circuit judge; Thomas Iluxtable, county clerk; 
L. II. and F. A. VanAlstine, circuit clerks. These were not 
all residents of Greene township at the time of their elec- 
tion, but had at one time resided there. 

The township officers are as follows : Supervisor, Prank 
Vogel; clerk, W. II. Kindig; assessor, C. E. Miller; collector, 
J. AV. Cawley ; commissioners, Frank Hummel, John II. 
Swatsley, Ben Bohlander, II. A. Redenius; justices, C. E. 
Miller, J. J. Kapraun. 

Mr. and Mrs. V. Ilouseworth are among the oldest resi- 
dents of Greene township. Mrs. Ilouseworth, whose name was 
Reedy prior to her inarriage, has lived on their home farm 
fifty-two years. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Hardships and Pleasures. 

THE Itroad i'ertile prairies of AVoodford county, dotted 
witli handsome farm iiouses, with here and there a pros- 
perous town, give littla sign of the liardships endured hy 
the pioneer in bringing them untkn^ cultivation. These can 
never be fully realized l)y a generation surrounded 
by the comforts and luxuries of the modern farm 
home. The early settlers aspired to nothing better 
than the log cabin, frecpiently made from rough, 
unhewn logs, notched and laid together in a hur- 
ried numner. The cracks left between these logs were 
stopped with a crude plaster made of clay, mixed with 
straw and the roof was made of clapboards. AVindows were 
nuide by cutting out a part of a log or two. In the early 
cabins these openings were covered Avith oiled {)aper, but 
laier some indulged in the luxury of a pane of glass, which 
was so arranged that it could l)e taken out for ventilation. 

The cabin usually consisted of a single room with a loft 
reached by a ladder. In one end was a fireplace, the chim- 
ney of which was on the outside. It was made with a wooden 
frame, plastered on each side with a mud plaster. The glow- 
ing red fire in the fireplace cast a bright glow over the en- 
tire room and served for light as well as heat. Great p'h^s 
of wood from the neighboring timber supplied the eag<'r 
flames. Large quantities of fuel were required, for the holes 
in the walls let i'n the cold air, chilling the room. It was no 
uncommon occurrence for the sleeper to awaken on a winter 

(76) 



HARDSHIPS AND PLEASURES. 77 

morning and find liis bed covered with snow that had sifted 
thru tlie cracks. 

The cook stove and range were unknown luxuries, and 
all cooking was done on, the fireplace or in a Dutch oven, 
In spite of the disadvantages of the fireplace, the housewife 
could cook dishes that were both healthful and appetizing. 
Corn bread and johnny cake baked in a Dutch oven have an 
enviable reputation to this day, while pancakes baked on the 
hot griddle furnished an appetizing breakfast for the pion- 
eer. Hasty pudding, hulled corn and hominy boiled in the 
pot with all the savory meats cooked in a dozen different 
ways furnished a meal fit for a prince. Who has tasted such 
fare and not wish he was back in the log cabin of the pioneer 
enjoying the thrifty housewife's cooking with an appetite 
sharpened by toil. 

The fireplace was frequently supplemented by a Dutch 
oven, which was formed by building a frame work of the 
size desired, and covering the inside to a considerable thick- 
ness with a kind of cement, while the outside was covered 
with mud. When ready for use a fire was built in the oven 
until its walls were hot, the temperature being gauged by 
experience. The fire was then removed, and bread, cake, or 
pies were put in. The walls retained sufficient heat to bake 
them to a nicety. Those who depended on the fireplace for 
baking had an iron pan in which bread or cake was placed. 
A nice bed of coals was arranged, and the pan placed on them 
and covered with a lid, over which live coals were scattered. 
Often potatoes or even corn bread was baked in the hot ashes. 
The well to do had pots and kettles, but those who were less 
fortunate roasted their meat on a spit or twig, held over the 
fire and turned to secure even roasting. Canned fruit was an 
unknown luxury, for within the memory of older people, 
glass jars for canning have been introduced. The furnish- 
ings of the cabin were almost all hand made. A few 
simple tools and timber from the neighboring woods 
supplied all that was necessary for furnishing the usual 
home for use of the pioneer and his family. 



78 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

IJardsliips within were not to be compared with hard- 
ships without. Broad prairies untouched by the phjw were 
to be broken. Oxen were used in l)reaking, tive, six or even 
eight yokes, being attached to a plow, breaking a wide 
furrow. The driver of an ox team required considerable 
skill in the management of his oxen. He carried a gad, which 
consisted of a long pole, at the end of which was a lash. By 
means of this he could touch up the lazy or refractory ox 
that was trying to shirk its share of the load. The head 
yoke was picked from the best trained oxen of the farm, 
while the raw aninuxls were used as followers. The gad was 
frc(|uently used to cut otf the head of some noisy pi"<:,irie 
bird or of a snake that hap})ened to raise its head above the 
grass. 

Snakes formed one of the greatest dangers the settlers 
had to face. The country was over-run with them. There 
were numerous varieties and various sizes, and the pioneer 
was constantly on the lookout for the w^arning whir of ven- 
omous rattlers. The black and bull snakes and racei's were 
quite large, frequently ten or twelve feet long. The racers 
possessed great si)eed, and the black snake had remarkable 
strength. It was no uneonuuon occurrence for a setller to 
do battle with a snake that taxed both his strength and 
courage before it was dispatched. 

The only toml)stone in the cemet(H*y at Panola marks the 
grave of Horace AHen who died as the result of the bite of a 
deadly copperhead snake. The silent motion of the grass 
was a warning and tiu' l)oldest was cautious aljout api)oach- 
ing until he had determined the direction in which the snake 
was headed. There were thousands of little snakes that 
were harmless, but infested every part of the prairies. 

The territory that is now so well drained was formerly 
covered with sloughs and ponds. Hundreds of acres of land 
now under cultivation were formerly under water a great 
part of the year. These, together with the slough grass, 
which was frequently eight or ten feet high presented a seri- 
ous barrier to a successful breaking of the prairie. 



HARDSHIPS AND PLEASURES. 79 

The fanner's stock was in danger from prowling wolvos 
that infested the country. It was even dangerous for a man 
to be alone on the prairie at night with a pack of hungry 
wolves on his track. This trouble from wolves was so great 
that a bounty was oft'ered for a wolf's scalp. Foxes we)"e also 
fre({uently found in the timl)er region but these were never 
so harmful as wolves, altho a bounty was also offered for a 
fox seal]). The day of the wolf is past and the fox is now 
but rarely seen, altho occasionally one is found with her 
little ones in the timber. 

The danger that was feared above all others was the 
deadly prairie tire. The tall, rank growth of grass was often 
liigh enough to effectually conceal a horse and rider. As soon 
as it became dry, as it usually did in the fall, it afforded an 
easy means of starting a fire that spread with inconceiv- 
able swiftness. The prairie fire can never be ade(iuately 
pictured by one who has never seen it. The warning glow 
can be seen for a great distance by night, and the black 
clouds of smoke, coupled with red flames, create consterna- 
tion among men and beasts. The roaring of the flames can be 
heard afar off', and long before the advancing flames arrive, 
scores of wild animals dash by in their mad flight from the 
flames which mean certain death to them. Their only hope 
lies in reachiug some stream that may serve as a barrier 
to the awful advance of the flames. About the only means 
available for fighting these terrible fires was back firing, in 
other words starting a fire in advance of the flames, so as to 
put an impassible barrier of burned prairie grass in its path. 
These fires frequently covered miles of territory before they 
could be checked. It was impossible to guard against the 
ravages of the flames with any degree of security, but it 
could be done to a certain extent by burning around a claim. 
A few furrows would be plowed around the farm, then a 
space would be left large enough to check the adavnce of a 
fire, then a few more furrows were plowed. The grass be- 
tween the plowed portion was fired and the furrows proved 
an effectual barrier to the spread of the flames. Another 



80 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

method is described in Prof. Radford's Old Settler's His- 
tory of AVoodford County. The settlers of a neighborhood 
would get together and fire the grass around the borders of 
their claims. The grass would be fired by one of the party, 
while the others would keep it in check by the constant use 
of ])rushes. A strip was burned over in this manner that 
was broad enough to check the advance of any ordinary fire. 
After the sweeping destruction of such a visitor the terri- 
tory passed over looked like a dreary waste, with here and 
there the charred carcass of some animal that had not been 
able to escape from the rapidly advancing enemy. Only 
after the county became settled and the prairies came under 
cultivation was the danger from this source removed. 

A serious drawback to the pioneer was the distance 
from the market. Fort Clark, afterward Peoria, and even 
Chicago were markets to which the pioneer directed his 
course when in need of supplies, aside from the simplest 
household necessities. Mills did a thriving l)usiness as the 
farmer depended on them for all his flour and meal, and 
wheat was one of the leading crops at that time. 

The many ponds, sloughs and swampy places, filled with 
decaying matter, produced its harvest of malaria and ague. 
The early settler was fortunate if he did not have a siege of 
one or the other in his family during the year. Home rem- 
edies were relied upon to restore the sick. 

The seasons were much more severe in the early period 
than now. The settlement of the prairies, the planting of 
groves, and the continued cultivation of the soil have served 
to modify the climate. Snow fell in the winter to a great 
depth, covering roads and fences and making the whole 
country appear one vast expanse of snow. It often covered 
the ground from early winter until spring. In the winter of 
1830 and '31 occurred what has ever since been known as the 
great snow. It l)egan in December and reached a depth of 
four feet on the level and stayed on the ground until spring. 
Great n\unl)ers of animals died from starvation, while the 
few settlers scattered here and there suffered many hard- 



HARDSHIPS AND PLEASURES. 81 

ships. The broad, unsettled prairies gave an uninterrupted 
sweep to the storm, which swept across them with terrible 
fury. Snow storms were often almost blinding, making it 
extremely difficult for the traveler caught in the storm to 
find his way. There were few landmarks on the prairie to 
guide one lost in the storm. Even on a dark night it was 
easy to become lost. John Brotherhood, who drove a stage 
thru Hanover, is said to have lost his v\^ay and after driving 
for hours found himself at dawn l)ut a mile from liis start- 
ing place. ' j 

There were few roads and no bridges, and the pioneer 
traveler had to follow an uncertain trail and ford the 
streams. The sloughs were minature swamps, miry, sticky 
and extremely hard to cross. It was frequently necessary 
to double teams to cross them. 

The modern improvements in machinery were unthot 
of and the work of the farm was accomplished by the ex- 
penditure of a large amount of muscular effort. Harvesting 
was done by hand. The cradle was used in reaping grain, 
the cradler being followed by a ))inder who gathered the 
grain together and bound it by holding it across his knee. 
Men acquired great skill in both cradling and binding, but 
the reaper and self-binder were a welcome introduction as 
a lal)or saving improvement. Corn was planted by hand 
and hoed, while small grains were thrashed on a great floor 
constructed for that purpose. Neighbors brought their 
wheat in shocks and it was scattered over this tloor and 
oxen or horses were driven around until the wheat was 
thrashed out, when the straw M^as removed and the wheat 
and the chaff were separated. Later the corn planter, cul- 
tivator and separator were introduced, making it possible to 
cultivate larger farms with less labor. The farmer of today 
has his riding plow, and riding cultivator, while his hay is 
loaded with a patent loader, and his harvesting is done by 
a self-binder. Water is pumped by a wind mill or by the use 
of a small engine. The old-fashioned plow with the wooden 



82 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

irioldboard has l)een superseded by the modern higldy 
l)()lished plow. 

Probably the first use of steam as a power in the opera- 
tion of a separator in the county was made by Simon Peter- 
son in the vicinity of Benson more than thirty years ago. 
Since that time the number of traction engines has increas- 
ed very rapidly. Horse power in shelling corn has long since 
been abandoned and the traction engine furnishes the power 
re(|uired. Aside from these are great numbers of other labor 
saving imi)rovements that tend to lighten the drudgery of 
farm life. 

The clothing worn was home made, the material being 
linen, jeans and linsey. The thrifty housewife was skillful 
in the manufacture of this home-made clothing.. The wool 
was carded, spun, woven and dyed at home, the dye used 
])eing walnut l)ark or blue-dye. The iiax went thru the i)ro- 
cess of hatcheling, s[)inning and weaving. For many y(!ars 
the spinning wheel was a necessity in the home, but it has 
long since ceased to be regarded as such and is m-w a c.iri- 
osity rather than a useful part of the equipment of the 
household. The sewing machine, now regarded as a necess- 
ity, was an unknown luxury in the county for many years 
after its settlement. • 

Money was a scarce article, and the settlers' wants were 
few from necessity. Altho the pioneer suffered many hard- 
ships, he had many pleasures as well. These were entered 
into with the greater zest because there were hardships to 
be endured. Game was very plentiful, and the hunter found 
an abundance of choice sport. If he sought small game, 
there were wild turkeys, prairie chickens, and (piail in great 
numbers. These were easily shot or trapped. The larger 
game included deer, wolves, foxes and raccoons. The great 
event in the neighborhood was the ring hunt. This was the 
forming of a great ring in which all the men and boys took 
part. The ring was gradually narrowed, the game being 
slowly driven toward the center. When the game was hud- 
dled together, the signal was given and the slaughter be- 



IIARDS^IIFS AND PLEASURES. 83 

gan. Scinirrel hunts were also fre(iuently indulged in, and 
were followed by a feast in which young- and old took part. 

One of the occasions of a neighborhood gathering was a 
barn or house raising. The timbers of the early structure 
were heavy, and the entire community was called in to help 
in the work. It was a time of merry-making as well as of 
work, and both men and women entered with keen enjoy- 
ment into the .jollity of the event. 

The old time spelling school was one of the features 
of the S(K':ial life of the early days It was the event of the 
year and good spellers were known thruout the entire neigh- 
borhood. Preparations were made for this event, and many 
a young person could be seen, days before the match, spend- 
ing all spare moments in pondering the list of words in the 
old speller. ]\Iany were remarkably skillful in the art of 
spelling, much more so than at the present time. When 
schools ])ecame more numerous, it was no unusual occur- 
rence for several schools to take part in a joint contest, or 
for the adherents of one school to challenge the adliei'»'nts 
of a neighboring school to a joint match. These occasions 
were looked forward to with high anticii)ation by the young 
people, and advantage was taken of the opportunity (ift'ered 
the sturdy boys to win favor with their sweethearts. 

Religious services that were held in the homes of the 
l^ioneer were a means of social intercourse as well as of de- 
votion. They brought the people together and they enjoyed 
these occasional meetings to the utmost. With his modest 
cabin, boasting of but a single room, the early settler was 
far more hospitable than the possessor of the modern, com- 
modious home. No stranger who happened to be delayed in 
his journey or was overtaken l)y darkness was turned away 
from the humblest cabin. The public stopping places were 
few and far Ix'tween, so that the traveler would have been in 
a sorry plight had it not been for pioneer hospitality. Visit- 
ors were given the beds, while the family slept on the floor. 
This spirit of hospitality was indicated by the expression : 
"The latch string hangs on the outside for you." In the 



84 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

cabin there was always a long wooden latch reaching across 
the door. A string was attached to it and passed thru a 
hole in the door above it. With this string the latch could 
be easily lifted from the outside, while to fasten the door it 
was only necessary to pull the string, hence the appropriate- 
ness of the expression. As the country became more thick- 
ly settlec^ the practice of entertaining so freely gradually 
grew less and less, until today open hospitality is but sel- 
dom practiced as formerly. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Education and Religion. 

THE early jnoneer, tho far removed from educational in 
stitutions, maintained a high intellectual standard. With- 
in a few years after the coming of the first settlers, steps 
were taken for the education of the youth of that day. 
Schools sprang up here and there, sometimes in the lK)me of 
some great hearted pioneer, at other times in a rude log 
building erected for a school house. These were conducted 
under trying conditions. The terms were short and the 
(Mfuipment was of the crudest character, yet in spite of dis- 
advantages, the school, coupled with the rough pioneer life, 
develoi)ed the children of the pioneer into stalwart , trust- 
worthy men and women 

The first schools were supported by private contributions 
or tuition. In some instances the teacher boarded from 
house to house as a part of his salary. The school houses 
were built of logs, with a hole cut in the side for light. In 
one end was a large fireplace, and the seats were near the 
wall. These consisted of boards sawn from the neighboring 
timber. Holes were bored in the bottom and pegs were 
driven in for legs. A board was fastened to the wall and 
served as a desk. There was little attention paid to the 
child's comfort. The individual seat with its highly polish- 
ed desk, and the well lighted school building, heated by 
steam, were as yet undreamed of luxuries. 

It is probable that the first school was taught by Wil- 
liam Hoshor in 1831, near Walnut Grove. There was also 

(85) 



86 HISTORY OF WOODFORD OOUNTY. 

oiK! tfiu^lit at an early day in the barn l)el()n^in^' to Benja- 
min Williams on the W(^st side of the eounty. 

As the settlers heeame more numerous, more ample pro- 
visions were made for school work and in 1837 the first free 
school was conducted by Miss Love Morse in the vicinity 
now known as Cazenovia. From this humble beginning^ the 
l)id)lic school system has developed until every child now 
has the ()p])ortuni1y of attendinfj: school at the public ex- 
pense. 

Walnul Grove becarue the center of an educational 
movement that has since its orif^in i)layed an important part 
in the history of the intellectual development of Central 
Illinois. In 1847 Elder John T. Jones opened a school at the 
head of Oonover avenue, but the work was cut short by an 
epidemic of measles. 

Tn Au^'ust, 1848, A. S. Fisher was em])loy(Hl to teach ten 
months. His salary was j^uaranteed by Elder Ben Major, 
E. B. Myers, Elijah Dickinson, Sr., and B. J. Radford, Sr. 
This school was located on a lot nortln'ast of the cemetery 
in Walnut Grove. The course included some of the hiiiher 
studies, and drew ])upils from the entire neig'hboi'hood. The 
TU'xt year the buildinii,' was eulariicd, and Miss SiU' Jones 
was emi)loyed to teach the primary work, while Brof. Fisher 
gav(^ his attention to the higher l)ranches. This was the 
beginning of Walnut Grove Seminary. In 1849 .$2,r)(H) was 
raised for the erection of a building to be devoted to the 
work of the growing institution. It was located west of the 
old brick boarding hall and was a two-story brick structure. 
In December the school was incorporated as Walnut Grove 
Academy with John T. Jones, as president, and A. S. Fisher, 
as secretary. Elder Ben Major, who was so earnest in the 
suj)j)ort of the plans for the school, is honored as its founder. 
The first bepuest was made by Jonathan Tressler, a native 
of Pennsylvania, who came to Walnut Grove in 1838. 

In 1855 a charter was granted Eureka College and in 
September of that year it opened with William M. Brown, 
president; A. S. Fisher, jirofessor of Mathematics; John H. 



EDUCATION AND RELIGION. 



87 



Neville, professor of lanj>uage ; O. A. Burgess, professor of 
science and philosophy ; and Richard A. Conover, teacher in 
the preparatory school. 

In 1(S57 and '58 the first college building was erected on 
the present campus, which was deeded to the college by 
Elias B. Myers and Elder James Conover. In 1860 E. W. 
Dickinson was the first graduate. He has becni identified 
with the interest of the institution and the city since that 
time. In 1869 the chapel was erected, west of the original 
building. In 1884 Abingdon College, which had been con- 
ducted ])y the Christian church for a number of years, was 
united with Eureka College. A modern structure was erect- 
ed in 1890, known as the Burgess Memorial hall, half of the 
funds necessary for the construction of the building being 
contributed by IMrs. O. A. Burgess. 




BURGESS MEMORIAL HALL. 

Prominent among the names of men who have taught 
in the institution stand those of Dr. J. M. Allen, John Lind- 
sey, II. W. Everest, B. J. Radford, Carl Johann and R. E. 
Ilieronymus. Among the most liberal friends have been, 
John Darst, who at one time mortgaged his farm to save the 
institution; Thomas Bondurant, of Deland, who gave a large 



88 IlISTOKY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

8um to aid in securing a fund of $100,000 for the school ; 
and Dr. N. B. Crawford, who gave $25,000 in a single gift. 
He is at present president of the board of trustees, while R. 
E. Ilieronymus has been president of the college, until re- 
cently, when his resignation was tendered. 

The alumni of Eureka College number nearly GOO men 
and women, of whom seven have been called to be presidents 
of colleges, and normal schools. One has been a governor of 
a state, another of a territory, while still others have rei)re- 
sented their districts in congress and in the state legislature. 
While numerous churches and schools have felt the uplift- 
ing influence of the institution thru ministers ami teachers. 

The Low Point Academy was an institution that promis- 
ed good results in the field of education, but its usefulness 
was cut short hy its destruction by tire in 1877. It was 
built by a company each of the members of which paid $100. 
Prof. J. E. Lamb, who served two terms as county superin- 
tendent of schools, was elected as principal and the attend- 
ance was very encouraging. The fire occurred shortly after 
its erection and, as there was no insurance on the structure, 
it was never rebuilt. 

The high school is the product of the public school 
system, and has developed in this county during the past 
twenty-tive years. In spite of its recent introduction it has 
met with gratifying success. More than 50 young people 
graduate annually from the high schools of the county. 
Four of the sclu)ols are on the accredited list of the Univer- 
sity of Illinois; Eureka, Minonk, East and West Side ElPaso. 
Today there are eleven graded schools in the county, em- 
ploy tifty-seven teachers. The total enrollment of pupils 
in the graded and rural schools of the county in 1908 was 
1348, Avhile the value of school property was estimated at 
$212,695. The expenditures for the support of the public 
school during that year were $115,672.79. 

Recently the County Superintendent, F. H. Doeden, has 
instituted the rural commencement, at which those who have 
successfully passed the seventh and eighth grade examina- 



EDUCATION AND RELIGION. 



89 




MINONK HIGH SCHOOL, 



90 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

tions receive diplomas from the Superintendent. The com- 
mencement of 1909 was the third, yet in that brief time 
it has become very i)o})ular. The class this year numbered 
fifteen. 

In 1908 there was opened the firet consolidated school 
in the county at Congerville. The children are transported 
in wagons and the principal of the school, Prof. J. C. Whet- 
zel, reports a successful operation of the plan. This year 
Roanoke and Metamora have each enlarged their districts 
by taking in new territory. 

The school library has come to be one of the most help- 
ful features of the public school in the county. The Mi- 
nonk school has the best equipped library among the town 
schools, it having been enlarged by donations in memory of 
Donald Stoddard and Mrs. Louisa M. Parkes. It is estimated 
that there are now 9,000 volumes in the public school li- 
braries of the county, with a value approaching $6,000. 

Hand in hand with the intellectual development of 
Woodford has gone its spiritual growth. The path broken 
by the pioneer in his search for new lands was quickly 
sought and followed by his spiritual adviser and friend. 

The juoneer preacher was early on the ground to ad- 
minister comfort to the discouraged and saddened and re- 
buke to the wayward. Long before the first church was 
erected services were held wherever circumstances would 
permit. Sometimes they were held in a school house, some- 
times in a barn, or in some home thrown open to the people, 
and occasionally they were held in the grove. The preacher 
was a God fearing man, fearless in rebuking sinners and in 
warning them to tiee from the wrath to come. Zadock Hall 
Worth township. An old companion of Peter Cartwright, he 
came to this county in 1880 and settled in what was later 
had many of the characteristics of that fearless exponent of 
Methodism. His voice was raised thruout Central Illinois 
calling men to repentance and a new life. He was but one 
of the many who have been instruments in the hands of God 



EDUCATION AND RELIGION. 91 

for the aceoinplisliincnt of his work in the county. John 
Oatman, William Davenport, James Robeson, J. D. Newell, 
Barton W. Stone, Jeter Foster, and W. T. Adams raised 
their voices and preached the gospel among the pioneers. 
There was a high moral standard established among the 
settlers, and they w^ere not satisfied until churches w^ere 
formed. The first church to organize in the county was the 
Christian church at Eureka. It has maintained its oreani- 




CHRISTIAN CHURCH, EUREKA. 

zation since 1882, and is now one of the strongest Protest- 
ant organizations in the county. The denomination has be- 
come strong and now has ten churches within the borders 
of Woodford, with an estimated membership of 1,650. 

The Methodist circuit rider was early on the field 
evangelizing, and but a few years elapsed before the organiz- 
ing of the first church. The earliest churches of this de- 
nomination were at Metamora and on the Ten Mile. From 
this beginning the number has multiplied antil there are 



92 HISTOEY OF AVOODFORD COUNTY. 

now ten societies, having a nieinbership of 846, and property 
valued at .$60,000. 

From the earliest days there has been preaching by Pres- 
byterian ministers, l)ut the first church of that denomination 
was not established until 1853, when the Low Point church 
was founded. The year following a United Presbyterian 
church was opened. There are four congregations of the Pres- 
byterian faith in the county with a membership of about 
550. More than $8,000 is annually expended by these organi- 
zations in the support of the gospel. 

The first Baptist church was organized at the home of 
James Vance in 1837 by Rev. J. D. Newell. Soon afterward 
the Richland Baptist church was formed. These have passed 
out of existence, but there are now in the county, five 
organizations with 500 members, and churches valued at 
$38,000. They expend a])out $5,000 in support of the work 
of their denomination. 

The first Lutheran church was in Worth township. It 
was a small log building but it served as a meeting place for 
a number of families. The organization long ago ceased to 
exist and has passed out of the memory of many of the old- 
er settlers. There are now two synods of the Lutheran 
church represented in the county. The Missouri synod has 
four organizations with a membership of 579, and with 
church property valued at about $15,000. The Iowa synod 
has one society with a membership of 1,000. The Catholic 
church is the strongest in the county both in point of mem- 
bership and wealth. The first church l)uilt Avas that of the 
Immaculate Conception at Lourds. This was organized in 
1838, and in 1840 their church was erected. This is said to 
have been the first church l)uilt in the northern part of the 
state, altho there Avere others organized at an earlier date. 
There are now seven societies in the county, with church 
property exceeding $100,000. in value. They minister to the 
needs of about 600 families. 

The Dunkards, or Brethern, as they are now called, 



EDUCATION AND RELIGION. 93 

organized their first cluireli in the eomity in Roanoke town- 
ship, under the leadership of J. R. and Geo. W. Gish, in 1852. 
In 1857 they erected their church. This organization has 
since that time been the center of the work of this society 
in the county. 

The Amish church has developed considerable strength 
among the Germans during the last few years. In 1875 they 
erected a church northeast of Eureka, and have services 
there regularly. There was an Amish church organised in 
Worth township at an early date. There are two other or- 
ganizations of this denomination in the county. 

The Apostolic Christian Church has a strong membership 
in the country surrounding Eureka and Roanoke. Their 
church, southwest of the latter town, was built in 1873, and 
will seat 700 people. The congregation also has churches at 
Eureka and Roanoke. 

The Congregationalists at one time had a church in El 
Paso, but it ceased to exist years ago. The Episcopalians 
<)rganiz;ed a church at Metamora at an early date, but now 
luxve the only church of their denomination in the county at 
ElPaso. The German Evangelicals at one time had a church 
in that city, but this has been abandoned and an English 
Evangelical was established. This was the forerunner of a 
number of prosperous little churches of that faith in the 
county. 

Rev. D. M. Ficken has served his congregation as pastor 
longer than any other minister in the county. lie was born 
in Germany in 1845 and came to America thirty-eight years 
ago, having first been highly educated in Erlangen, Goetling- 
en and Leipzig LIniversities. After coming here he served 
churches at Fort Madison, Peoria, Waverly and other points. 
March 23, 1871), he came to his present charge, the Lutheran 
church in Linn township. He has resided there since that 
time. During that period he has baptized 1151 children, 
confirmed 495 young persons, married 224 couples, buried 
310 persons and collected nearly $G,000 for charity purposes. 



94 HISTORY OP WOODFORD COUNTY. 

The first Sunday School was established in the county 
in 1837 in what was known as the Morse settlement, the ser- 
vices beinj^ held at the home of Parker ]\lorse, who lived 
near Cazenovia. The institution has grown and has been one 
of the most eit'ective departments of the church. There are 
38 schools in the county with a membershi}) of 3,475 pupils. 
The Woodford County Sunday School Association has been 
an effective feature of the work. The association holds a 
county conveulion annually and also arranges for one in 
each township in the county. The officers are as follows : 
President, James Warner; vice-president, Amos Marshall; 
secretary, Mrs. W. 11. Foster; treasurer, George Shuman, 
department sui)erintendents : temperance, L. J. Freese, pri- 
mary work, MvH. W. F. Dudman ; home work, Miss Alice 
Briggs; teach(;rs' training, W. II. Foster; men's classes, J. 
F. Shephard ; executive committee, O. jM. Davison, L. J. 
Freese and W. II. Smith. 

Woodford county has the distinction of having the first 
county Y. W. C. A. in the world. The National Board which 
is at the head of the great work, is located at New York City, 
and every country in the world has associations affiliated 
with it. For the past three years the splendid women at the 
head of this work have been trying to solve the problem of 
"How to reach the girls and women in the small towns and 
rural districts." Finally some one conceived the plan of 
organizing a county the same as if it were a city. This work 
was started in Woodford county in May, 1908, when Miss 
Helen F. Barnes, National Secretary from New York, and 
Miss Harriet A. Broad, state executive of Chicago, made 
a tour of the county to arouse enthusiasm for this work. The 
secretary came the first of October and the first county as- 
sociation was organized October 17th, 1908, and became a 
part of the National Association. There is a board of direc- 
tors, with Mrs. M. A. Adams, of ElPaso, as president, and 
each town or community is a branch with its own committee. 
Branches were organized in Eureka, ElPaso, Minonk, Roa- 



EDUCATION AND RELIGION. 95 

noke, Benson, Sccor, AVa.shl)urn. The membership is 250 
and clubs and classes in Bil)le study, gymnasium, sewing, 
fancy work and drawing have interested the members. 
Socials, lectures, picnics, and various entertainments have 
been enjoyed. Sixteen Woodford county young women at- 
tended the summer conference at Lake Geneva. 

The association is for the spiritual, social, physical and 
educational needs of women. The aim of the county organ- 
ization is to give the girls of rural communities the advan- 
tages of the college and city. 

The following are statistics : 

Enrollment in clubs 90 

Attendance 589 

Enrollment in Bible (dasses , 176 

Attendance 1036 

Enrollment in sewing classes 37 

Attendance 148 

Enrollment in gymnasium 30 

Attendance 402 

Attendance at socials 1560 

The secretary, Miss Elizabeth McKenzie, has oversight 
of the work of the county. 



CHAPTER IX. 

The County Organizes. 

AS the coimty became more thickly settled the demand 
tor a more convenient county seat became imperative. 
By IS-IO the vicinity of Spring Bay, Versailles, Bowling 
Green, Metamora and Walnut Grove had numerous settlers, 
and a movement was l)egun for the organization of a new 
county. Aside from the need of a more conveniently located 
seat of justice, was the ambition of the citizens of Versailles 
to make that the county seat. It was hoped that the location 
of the seat of justice there would soon make it the metropolis 
of the county. A petition was circulated praying for the 
creation of a new county, of which Versailles was to be the 
county seat. Thomas Bullock, who had named the town, was 
one of the prime movers in presenting the matter before the 
legislature. The granting of the petition was opposed by 
citizens of Washington, who were ambitious to make that 
city the county seat. A petition had been circulated with 
that in view, l)ut Versailles had gotten its petition before 
the legislature in time to give it precedence, and Washing- 
ton confined its efforts to opposing its granting. Mr. Bul- 
lock and others worked unceasingly and were rewarded l)y 
seeing their cherished bill become a law. A new county was 
created named AVoodford, in honor of Woodford county, 
Kentucky, the former home of Mr. Bullock. It did not how- 
ever, make Versailles the permanent seat of justice, but lo- 
cated it at tliat place- for two years, on condition that suit- 
able buildings were furnished free of expense to the county. 

(96) 



THK COUNTY ORGANIZES. 97 

A school house was provided for the use of the county of- 
ficials and answered the purpose of a court room very well. 
This law provided for the completion of the organization of 
the county, and the election of the necessary officers. On 
April 18th, 1841, the persons elected met in Versailles to 
organize. The affairs of the county were then in the hands 
of three county commissioners instead of a board of super- 
visors as at present. The commissioners organized with 
John J. Perry as clerk. On June 7th, they decided the date 
of the expiration of the term of each commissioner as fol- 
lows : 

Joseph Meek, of Walnut Grove, August, 1841; James 
Boys, of Metamora, August, 1842; Josiah Moore, of Bowling 
Green, August, 1848. The remaining county offieers were as 
follows : Prol)ate judge, J. B. Holland ; sherilf, William S. 
j\lagarity; eircuit elerk, S. J. Cross; county clerk, John J. 
Perry; coroner, AVilliam Ilosher; treasurer, James S. Mc- 
Cord ; assessor, Joshua Woosley ; collector, William Rock- 
well ; surveyor, S. S. Parke. 

For convenience in voting the county was laid off into 
four election precincts, designated as Bowling Green, Ver- 
sailles, Partridge and Richland. The voting i)lace in Part- 
ridge was fixed at the house of John Sunderland, while that 
of Richland precinct was the house of James Owens. 

It may l)e interesting to note here the names of the first 
judges of election aftei the organization of the county. 
Bowling Green, Eli Patrick, Samuel Arnold, Samuel Kirk- 
patrick ; Versailles, Henry I. Clark, Warren C. Watkins, 
Ben Major; Partridge, Jefferson Iloshor, John Page, Joel 
Ranney; Richland, Benj. D. Perry, Jesse Hammers, Jefferson 
So wards. In a short time Spring Bay precinct was formed. 
In each of these precincts was an overseer of the poor, whose 
duty was to look after the needy in his precinct. The first 
of those appointed by the commissioners were, Versailles, 
Benj. J. Radford; Bowling Green, Reuben Carlock ; Part- 
ridge, John Page ; Richland, J. Foster. 



98 HISTORY OF AVOODPORD COUNTY. 

The first county order was issued to Henry I. Clark 
for $1.00 in payment for his services as judge of ek^ction, 
that being the compensation of such an official at that time, 
while the clerk received $1.25. 

The growth of the financial affairs of the county may 
be shown by a glance at the report of the first collector, who 
acted for the county instead of for each township as at 
present. His total collections were $1,034.60, while the col- 
lections of the various township collectors in 1909 amounted 
to $262,822.82. William Rockwcdl. the first county collector, 
gave a bond for $4,000, while that of L. C. Gish, now county 
treasurer, was $202,000.00. The first sheriff, William S. 
Magarity, gave l)ond for $1,000.00 which amount seems 
small in contrast with the bond for $10,000.00 recpiired of the 
present sheriff, 13. F. Slenker. 

Each official subscribed to an oath in which he pledged 
himself to support the constitutions of the United States and 
of the State of Illinois, and to fulfill the duties of his office 
to the best of his ability, l)ut in addition to that he was re- 
el uired to swear that he had never taken part in a duel, had 
sent no challenge, and further that he would take no i)art 
whatever in a duel during his term of office. 

Woodford county w^as made a i)art of the Eighth judi- 
cial district, and the first session of court was held at Ver- 
sailles, in September, 1841, with Judge Samuel H. Treat on 
the bench. The county commissioners, at their session in 
June, had chosen twenty-three men to act as the first grand 
jury, and also twenty-four men as petit jurors. The grand 
jurors were as follows : Thomas A. ^IcCord, John Mohr, S. 
Y. Barnard, Reuben Carlock, William C. Anthony, Henry 
I. Clark, Amos Watkins, James Findley, David Travis, Elijah 
Dickinson, Caleb Davidson, Ellis Parker, Parker Morse, W^il- 
liam Dodds, Jesse Hammers, James Owens, Samuel Head- 
lock, Harlow T. Barney, Austin Crocker, Joseph Wilkerson, 
John Sunderland, John Page and George Bennett. Only 
seventeen of the above number are shown by the court 



THE COUNTY ORGANIZES. !)9 

records to have been present the session of court 
Those present with John C. Coons formed the first actual 
grand jury. John W. Page was chosen foreman and the work 
of the term was taken up. Two indictments were returned, 
one against Nathaniel Wilson for larceny, and the other 
against Alfred IMoore for arson. Neither case Avas tried at 
that term of court. 

Daniel R. Meek, who resides at Secor, was present at 
the opening of the session of court. lie distinctly remembers 
the occasion, which was an important one in the history of 
Versailles. Flags were flying from the school house in which 
court was held and men laid aside their work to attend court. 
There were a number of prominent men in attendance upon 
the session of the court altho they had not gained the promi- 
nence they afterward attained. Among these Avere Aliraham 
Lincoln, David DaA-is and others. 

The law that created Woodford county provided that 
all cases begun in the courts of Tazewell or McLean counties 
prior to the organization of the new county, by citizens liv- 
ing within the boundaries of AVoodford, should be decided 
in the courts where they were begun. 

The first entry on the docket is that in the case of George 
Case, appellee, vs. Isaac AV. Lowe, appellant, in which the 
suit was dismissed as per agreement. 

David R. Campbell was present as states attorney. The re 
Avere no jury cases at that term altho twenty-four jurymen 
had been drawn. These were as follows : AVesley Arnold, 
Jacob Stevenson, AVilliam Long, James A. AVhorton, Thomas 
II. Baker, John P. Beaty, Thomas Bullock, Benj. J. Radford, 
AI. R. Bullock, David Deweese, James Wells, James Brown, 
Cooley Curtis. Francis Boggs, Andrew Galbreth, Solomon 
Tucker, Aaron Richardson, Samuel Arnold, AVilliam S. 
Pratt, Norman Dutton, George Kingston, C. D. Banta, Amos 
A. Brown and AA'illiam AVillis. 

In 1843 a law was passed submitting to a vote of the 
people of Tazewell and AVoodford counties a proposition to 



100 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

change' the boundary lines between the two counties to the 
line between townships 24 and 25 north of the base line, but 
the jjroposition was never adopted. The same year the 
boundary line lietween Woodford and IMcLean counties was 
definitely fixed and has remained unchanged since that time. 

In 1849 a movement was organized for the division of 
the county into townships. The proposition brought forth 
strong ()i)position, and a number of prominent men were 
untiring in their efforts to defeat the measure. The first 
election was held in 1850, the vote standing at that time 153 
for township organization and 107 against it. The propo- 
sition did not have the required majority of all the votes of 
the county, and was resubmitted in 1852, the vote then stand- 
ing 469 for and 298 against organization. In 1853 a third 
test was made, the vote then standing 310 for, to 109 against. 
It was not until 1854 that the proposition carried the re- 
quired majority, the vote standing 692 for, to 193 against the 
plan of division. The same year the court appointed John 
Summers, Daniel B. Owen, and Edgar Babcock commission- 
ers to divide the county into townships. The commissioners 
did their work and on April 16th, 1855, the first board of 
supervisors in Woodford county held its meeting at Meta- 
mora. The ])oard was made up as follows : Metamora, Simon 
P. Shope ; Montgomery, James Vance ; Olio, Joseph Meek ; 
Panola, and JMinonk, Robert N. McClelland ; Greene, John 
R. Gaston ; Roanoke, David S. Brown ; Linn and Clayton, 
Isaac Fisher ; Cazenovia, John W. Acres ; Worth, Jacob 
Shuck ; Spring Bay, George N. Schnibly ; Palestine, Allen 
Hart; Partridge, Jefferson Ilosher. The board organized by 
choosing as its chairman, Simon P. Shope, of Metamora. 

With the organization of this board the work of the 
county commissioners ended. For about fourteen years the 
county had been under their control and the atifairs had been 
wisely and economically administered. The growth of the 
various settlements seemed to demand a closer supervision 
and the new system was instituted. The first eight years of 



THE COUNTY ORGANIZES. 101 

the. county's existence, the coumiissiuners were elected, one 
being chosen each year to serve three years. In 18-19, however, 
the law was changed and the affairs were administered by 
a county judge and two associates. The first judge was 
Welcome P. Brown and his associates were William ('. 
Poynter and W. E. Buckingham. 

The growth ol the county Avas gradual l)ut steady, and 
the business of the new board increased (luite rapitUy. In 
the beginning Clayton and Linn, Minonk and Panola were 
united so as to form but two precincts. This was due to the 
sparce settlement at tiuit tiuu", l)ut it was but a few years 
until each township had its full (|uota of officials. (Jruger 
township was not created until 1870, when it was cut oft' the 
west side of Olio. Kansas township was separated from 
Palestine in 1859. 

The county is controlled at the present time by the fol- 
lowing board of sui)ervisors : 

JMinonk, N. L. Davison; Clayton, B. AV. Uphotf, Linn, 
Ludwig Tjaden; Cazenovia, J. 11. Lesch ; Partridge, Sol 
Winkler; Spring Bay, Alfred Ilosher; AVorth, Ijco T. 
Schwenk; Metamora, Henry Ileininger; Roanoke, C. F. 
Yeck; Greene, Frank Vogel ; Panola, Theobald Stimpert; El 
Paso, E. A. Childs ; Palestine, AV.A. Coll)urn ; Olio ; E. B Dick- 
inson ; Cruger, Ed. Perrine ; Kansas, W. II. Dixon ; Mont- 
gomery, Simon Naft'zinger. The board is organized with 
Alfred Ilosher of Spring Bay as chairman. 

The early officers were usually elected for but two years, 
the coroner, sherift', school commissioner, surveyor and 
treasurer each serving for that length of time. Later these 
officers Avere elected for the full four year term. The title of 
school commissioner was changed in 1865 to county super- 
intendent of schools. The county has been very fortunate 
in the selection of its officers. Only once has it suft'ered 
serious defalcation. Ayrs M. Whittaker, county treasurer, 
was declared a defaulter September 11th, 1878, in the sum 
of $41,632. 63, The bondsmen were called upon to make up 



102 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

the shortage. A settlement was finally made with the 
county bondsmen on the basis of 65 cents on the dollar. They 
were only held responsible for the defalcation of the coun- 
ty fund. The state bondsmen were held for the other funds. 
These protested and after three hearings in court they were 
released from further responsibility on the j^ayment of a 
nominal sum, amounting to about $800. 

The county is now controlled by an efficient corps of 
officials composed as follows: County .judge, John F. Bos- 
worth; county clerk, Adolph Woltzen ; circuit clerk, L. II. 
VanAlstine; superintendent of schools, F. II. Doeden; treas- 
urer, L. C. Gish; states attorney, Orman Ridgley; surveyor, 
D. II. Davison ; coroner, W. S. Morrison, master-in-chancery, 
John R. Tweddale ; sheriff, B. F. Slenker. 

Of these D. II. Davison has been the longest server, hav- 
ing been surveyor at various periods for thirty years. L. II. 
VanAlstine and Adolph Woltzen have been connected with 
the official business of the county for a number of years, the 
former as deputy circuit clerk, and the latter as clerk; the 
latter first as deputy treasurer and later as county clerk. 

The business of the county has grown to such magni- 
tude that the treasurer, superintendent of schools, sheriff and 
circuit clerk are each empowered to employ a deputy, while 
the county clerk employs two. In the more busy seasons the 
county and circuit clerks frequently employ additional as- 
sistance. As the county grows in wealth the business of the 
probate court, and consequently of th(> county clerk, greatly 
increases. 



CHAPTER X. 

The County Seat. 

THE (|U(\sti()n of the location of the county seat of Wood- 
ford county has been a live issue ever since its organ- 
ization. Even before the lavs^ creating the county had passed, 
the hopes of obtaining the county seat at Versailles played 
no insignificant part in the movement for its organization. 
The jog in the county line between Tazewell and Woodford 
cut Washington, which would have been a formidable rival 
for county seat honors, out of Woodford and made it a part 
of Tazewell. The unsuccessful effort to change Woodford's 
boundary line in 1843 was but another effort to bring Wash- 
ington within the borders of this county, and had at its 
foundation a plan for the removal of the county seat to that 
city. The question was only permanently settled by the 
erection of buildings of such value and permanence as to 
make removal an unwise action. 

The act creating the county located the seat of justice 
at Versailles for a periou of two years. At the end of that 
time an election was to be lield and the people were to decide 
for themselves as to the location of the seat of justice. Some 
restrictions were made in the law as to the contestants. Each 
town competing for the honor was required to give bond in 
the sum of $1,500. for the faithful payment of all pledges 
made toward the expense of new buildings. In case no town 
received a majority of the votes, a second election was to be 
held and only the two points receiving the highest number 

(103) 



104 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

of votes could be voted upon. In spite of these 
elaborate provisions made in the law for this elec- 
tion it was destined never to be held. In 1843, before the 
expiration of the two years, during which Versailles was 
permitted to enjoy county seat privileges, a new law was 
passed giving the authority to locate the seat of justice into 
the hands of a commission. The law was drawn up in the 
interest of Versailles ; as the people of that village feared to 
submit the matter to a vote. The law was opposed by 
parties from other parts of the county, Init the opposition 
only served to increase the commission from three mend)ers 
to five. The following were appointed to decide the ques- 
tion : John II. Bryant, of Bureau county ; John 11. Harris, 
of Tazewell county ; James K. Scott, of Dewitt county ; L. 
A. Ilannaf ord, of Peoria county ; J. L. Sharp, of Fulton. 

There was a sharp competition between the aspirants. 
On June 17th, 1848, the commissioners met at Versailles and 
after giving due consideration to the claims of contesting 
towns, decided to locate the seat of justice at Hanover, 
since called Metamora. The entry of their decision as it 
stands on the records of the county commissioners, is as 
follows : 

We, the undersigned commissioners, appointed by an 
act of the Legislature of Illinois, to locate the permanent 
seat of justice of Woodford county, approved Feb. 28, 1843, 
and an act supplementary to said act, approved March 6, 
1843, having met at the town of Versailles and been duly 
sworn, according to the provisions of said acts, have proceed- 
ed to examine said county and the diflt'ertnt sites proposed 
for the seat of justice, with re;-;pei t lo present and future 
population of said county, an<l antvu* m;dur>! deliberation 
have agreed to locate the said seat of justice in the town 
of Planover on sections 17 and 20. township 27 north of ihe 
base line in range two w^est of the third principal meridian. 



THE COUNTY SEAT. 105 

and that public buildings be located on such block or lots 
as the county shall think best. 

Done at Versailles the 17th day of June, 1843. 

J. L. SHARP. 
L. II. HANAFORD. 
JOHN H. BRYANT. 

Acting in accordance with the above orders, the county 
commissioners instructed the clerk of the commissioners' 
court to move all books, papers and furniture belong- 
ing to the county to Hanover on the B^'ourth day of July, 
1843, or as soon thereafter as convenient. On August 12th, 
a special session of the commissioners was held when an 
order was issued, directing the circuit clerk to move all 
books, papers and furniture from Versailles to Hanover on 
September 1st. 

The removal of the county seat was a sore disappoint- 
ment to the hopes of the people of Versailles, and the town 
never recovered from the effects of the change. The build- 
ing, which had been used as a court house, was located at 
the northwest corner of the public square. When the re- 
moval occurred, this building was sold to Isaac Boyd, being 
first used as a house and afterwards as an outbuilding. 

It was two years before the new court house was erect- 
ed at Hanover, and in the meantime temporary arrange- 
ments were made for the accommodation of the county of- 
ficers. The contract was entered into with William Rock- 
well and Samuel S. Parke, who were extensive land holders 
in that vicinity, June 4, 1844. The structure was to be brick, 
modeled after the court house at Lacon. It was to be 40 feet 
by 50 feet, two stories in height, and was to be furnished 
by January 1st, 1846. In return the county agreed to con- 
vey all the private donations, consisting of town lots, lands, 
notes and other evidences of indebtedness given originally 
for the express purpose of erecting a court house in the 
town of Hanover, to this firm. In addition to the convey- 
ance of these donations, the county agreed to pay the firm 



106 



HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 



the .surplus revenues for the years, 1844: and '45, at the same 
time the et)unty bound itself to levy at the same rate as be- 
fore and to use due economy, making no unusual expendi- 
tures. In case of any disagreement between the contracting 
parties, it was to !)e submitted to arbitration. 

The contract was sublet 
and the work was done by 
David Irving, the contract 
price being J|^4,400. This 
structure served the pur- 
])ose of the county for 
lialf a century. It has l)een 
made historic thru the 
great men who have 
argued in its court rooms. 
Its halls have been made 
to resound with the elo- 
(pience of Lincoln, Doug- 
las, Ingersoll, Stevenson 
and a number of other at- 
torneys who have been 
closely identified with the 
political life of the state 
md nation. 




In 1851 a contract was 
Kinney for the erection 



COURT HOUSE IN 1860. 

entered into with Luther C. 
of a jail on lots 10, 11 and 12, block 40, Metaraora. The 
building was brick and was to be finished by March 1st. 1852. 
The contract price was $2,498. 

As the county grew, demands for space in the court 
house increased, and it became necessary to make extensive 
additions to it. The building finally assumed its present 
form. 

Metamora Avas not, however, to retain undisputed pos- 
session of the county seat. It was for many years the bone 
of gontenfion between competing towns. There were several 



THE COUNTY SEAT. 107 

contestants for this honor. ElPaso once appeared as a claim- 
ant for it, but Eureka and Roanoke took the field most 
prominently in the contest. The former based its claims on 
its greater accessibility, the latter on its being nearer the 
center of the county. It was necessary that an aspirant have 
a petition signed l)y a majority of the voters of the county, 
before the matter could be submitted to a vote of the people. 
These petitions were the cause of much friction between the 
contestants. Various charges were brought to the effect that 
graveyards had been visited for names, signers had repeated, 
and that others were not legal citizens of the county. The 
petitions liad to be able to stand a searching investigation 
and still lune a clear majority of the voters of the county, 
after all illegal names had l)een expurgated, before the mat- 
ter of removal could be submitted to a vote. It was then 
necessary that a majority of all the votes of the county be 
cast for removal. Again and again the matter was submit- 
ted, and on at least two occasions the majority of the vote 
cast was for removal, but the attorneys for Metamora were 
always able to show to the satisfaction of the court that the 
vote fell short of an actual majority of the total voting 
strength of the county. 

In 1867 ElPaso sent Robert G. Ingersoll, as their at- 
torney to appear before the board of supervisors at Meta- 
mora, and make an oft'er of $30,000 for the removal of the 
county seat to that place. The matter was submitted to the 
vote of the people, and the canvass indicated that 1,901 votes 
hatl been cast for the removal and 1861 against removal. A 
committee, composed of D. P. Kenyon, chairman ; Andrew 
CresSj R. L. Sidwell, John Darst and Abraham Fulton, was 
appointed by the chairman of the board of supervisors to 
investigate the matter of the removal. The committee re- 
ported that there had been 3,812 votes cast. Of this number, 
1,901 votes were for removal to ElPaso, leaving a balance 
of 1,911 against removal. They advised that the matter be 
submitted to the court, and as a result the seat of justice re- 
mained at Metamora. 



108 



HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 



May 3rd, 1869, Eureka and IMetamora contested for the 
honor, but Eureka failed to develop its expected strength, 
the vote standing as follows : For removal to Eureka, 904, 
against removal to Eureka, 2.255. Eureka and ElPaso, at 




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the time their first contests were hekl, each had railroads, 
while Metamora had none. Tiiis argument was used exten- 
sively but failed to bring the people to see that a change 
was needed.. 

In 1873 a sharp contest took place between Roanoke and 
Metamora. The petition was circulated asking for a submis- 



Tim COUNTY SEAT. 109 

sion of the matter to a vote and the necessary number of 
signatures was obtained. The vote was taken November 11, 
1873, and resulted in 1,665 votes being cast for removal and 
1,628 against it. It will be seen that Roanoke had a clear 
majority of 37 votes. Metamora at once contested. It de- 
volved upon attorneys for that place to prove that the num- 
ber of votes cast for removal was not a majority of the votes 
of the county. After the submission of the evidence, the 
court decided that Roanoke had failed to get the re(iuired 
number and the court house remained at Metamora. Under 
the law as it exists the matter may not be submitted oftener 
than once in ten years. At the end of that period of time 
Roanoke again appeared as a contestant, the election oc- 
curring in 1884. This time a light vote was polled and the 
majority stood heavily against removal, the vote being 
1,122 for removal and 2,441 against removal. 

In 1894 the final contest took place and resulted in the 
removal of the county seat to Eureka. It was hard fought 
from beginning to end, each side exerting all its energies. 
It was quite generally recognized that this was the final con- 
test. A new court house and jail were needed, and wherever 
these were erected the county seat would remain permanent- 
ly located. Committees were appointed on each side and 
thousands of dollars were expended in the campaign. Every 
township was thoroly canvassed and arguments both for 
and against removal were known in. every part of the county. 

The problem with Eureka was to reach the indifferent 
voter who had no interest in the location of the county seat. 
Every stay at home vote was favorable to Metamora. Mi- 
nonk was the scene of the hardest fought battles and mem- 
bers of the committee spent the day there looking after the 
fight. As an inducement to locate the seat of justice at Eu- 
reka, the city council of that city deeded the public spuare, 
which is in the center of the business part of the city, to 
the county, the conditions being that the court house be lo- 
cated on it. The election resulted in 2,595 votes being cast 



110 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

for removal and 1,960 votes were cast against it. The claim 
was at once set up by the friends of Metamora that the votes 
cast for removal did not represent a majority of votes of th'e 
county. A contest was at once begun by Metamora to test 
the matter. The attorneys of that city, not wishing to make 
Woodford county a party of the suit made the city of Eureka 
defendant. On hearing the argument that Woodford county 
and not Eureka should have been made defendant, Judge 
Worthington sustained Eureka in its plea, and the case was 
thrown from court. As the thirty days, within which a con- 
test could be begun, had passed, Metamora had no recourse 
save an appeal to the supreme court. The decision of 
Judge AVortliington was sustained and on receipt of news of 
the decision the records were at once removed to Eureka. 

There had been no arrangements made for the accommo- 
dation of the county officers at the new county seat, and they 
were scattered in various empty buildings imtil a new court 
house could be erected. The county clerk's office was on the 
east side of College street in the l)uilding now occupied l)y 
the Woodford County Republican. The sheriff and circuit 
clerk offices were in the R. D. Smith building on the north- 
west corner of College and First streets. The jail and court 
room were in the building owned by Mrs.R. E. DeMotte on 
the corner of Second and Callender streets. 

As soon as possible arrangements were made for the 
erection of a new court house. In order that the arrange- 
ments for the convenience of the comity officers might be as 
complete as possible, the hoard of supervisors took a trip 
thru the state, visiting a number of the more modern court 
houses, and investigating as to material, cost, etc. It was 
determined that Woodford county should have a court house 
that would be a credit to the county, and, at the same time, 
one that was not unduly expensive. Plans were submitted 
by a number of architects, and after careful consideration 
the plans presented by Bell and Kent, of Council Bluffs, 
Iowa, were accepted. They called for a commodious struc- 



THE COITMTY SEAT. 



Ill 



ture two-story and a liasement in height, constructed of gray 
sandstone and siirinonnted by a handsome dome. On the 
second floor are the circuit court room, jury rooms,and several 
offices, while on the first floor there is a conveniently arrang- 
ed county court room, and also offices of the sheriff, county 
and circuit clerks. The basenumt has a meeting room for the 



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O 

cj 

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M 

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supervisors, a G. A. R. room, and offices of the treasurer and 
superintendent of schools. 

The building was constructed in a very substantial man- 
ner, and under the careful supervision of the board that was 
made up as follows in 1897 : Chairman, N. S. de Vries, Joseph 
Hindert, B. W. Uphoff, John J. Tjaden, Frank Mau, Jacob 



112 



HISTORY OF AA^OODFORD COUNTY. 



AVagner, AV. II. Friedrich, Anthony Fisher, Peter Schcrlz, 
A. J. AVolt/.en, James M. Jeter, E. A. Childs, Thomas Crib- 
ben, P. A. Felter, Jacob Miller, J. B. Detweiler, E. S. Brown. 

Those who took part in planning for the building in 1896, 
but were not (m the board that followed, were Josiah Ker- 
riek, Adam Stephens, George Andrews, J. P. Kunkler. 

Bids were received from numerous tirms, that of H. G. 
Bruning, of Havana, 111., being finally accepted, the contract 
price being $60,762. The special duty of overseeing the 



fill 


1 

i 

58 


I^^SOhMVMb 






■■H 



SHERIFF'S RESIDENCE AND THE JAIL, EUREKA. 

work devolved upon the building committee which was 
c()mi)osed of P. A. Felter, chairman, AV. II. Fredrich, 
Thomas Cribben, B. AV. Uphoff, A. J. AVoltzen, Ed. C. Engel, 
county clerk. The county employed Henry Lesch, of AVash- 
burn, to look after interests of the county and superintend 
the work of building. The funds necessay for the work 
were raised by the issue of interest bearing warrants, which 
were redeemed in a very short time by the levy of one per 
cent ,tax. The corner stone of the new structure was laid 
under the supervision of the board of supervisors with ap- 
propriate ceremonies, the stone being laid by Miss Gertie de 
Vries, the daughter of the chairman of the board. 



THE COUNTY SEAT. 



118 



A few months after the completion of the court house, 
a commodiiis jail and jailer's residence were erected. This 
structure was built on the property on First street across 
from the new court house. The jail is of pressed brick with 




stone trinimmg>,, the residence portion being in the front 
and the jail in the rear. The contract for the work was let 
to Kipp and Ferryman, of Minonk, for $18,000. The cells are 
modern and are strong and well constructed. 

On the same lot with the jail the heating plant, for both 
court house and jail was erected, both buildings being heat- 
ed by steam. There is no fire in the vicinity of the court 



114 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COTTNTY. 

house, and the building is considered fire proof The records 
are kept in a manner to preclude all apparent chance of de- 
struction. All these buildings are lighted thruout by 
electricity and the office equipment is ample for all needs 
of county officials. The yards of l)oth court house and jail 
have ])een graded and are n()w l)eautiful lawns. It is esti- 
mated that the value of the county |)roperty at Eureka 
will reach ^125,000. 

In connection with the description of the other puldic 
buildings it is appropriate to refer to the commodious alms 
house, located l)etween ]\Ietamora and Eureka. It is located 
on a farm purchased in 1867, and tb.e property has been 
improved from time to time until it is now one of the liest 
equipped alms houses in Central Illinois. It is under tbe 
management of a superintendent appointed by the board 
of supervisors. The present superintendent, Frank Murray, 
has held that position for several years to the 
entire satisfaction of the board. The farm consists 
of 240 acres, and is made practically self-supporting. 
It has been the policy of the county to keep its 
property in the best condition, but while this is true and 
the county officials are supplied with all needed equipments, 
the low rate of county taxation bears witness to the economy 
of the officials. The original building cost $10,800 and in 
1903 an addition costing $10,540 was made to the building, 
and $5,673 was expended in installing a heating plant. 



CHAPTER XL 

Travel and Communication. 

THE early means of eoinmunication and ti-iAel were very 
unsatisfactory. Whenever possilUe the rivers were 
taken advantage of for transportation and a great number 
of emigrants bound for the west made the journey as far as 
possible on the Ohio and other rivers. Travelers from the 
northeast came on the Great Lakes to Fort Dearborn, after- 
ward Chicago, and completed the journey overland. The 
emigrant vessels presented a grotesque appearance, being 
loaded with chattels of the mover and his family. Others 
came in covered emigrant wagons, called prairie schooners. 
The occupants of these suifered many hardships in cross- 
ing the country. The narrow trails were difficult to follow 
and the tall slough and prairie grass which grew to great 
height presented a serious barrier to the traveler's progress. 
The journey was often made thru swamps and across rivers 
and streams that were without bridges. 

It was many years before roads were laid out. Perhaps 
the first of these thru Woodford coiuity passed tliru Han- 
over and was followed by the stage coach that passed that 
wa,y. It is said this was originally laid out by dragging a 
log across the prairie grass. The progress in the direc- 
tion of laying out roads was very slow. The state took the 
matter up and the county was soon crossed l)y several so- 
called state roads. These were winding and sought the 
easiest places for fording streams and the parts of the 
prairie least apt to become impassible. Among the first of- 

(115) 



116 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

ficial acts of the commissioners of the newly created county 
was a provision for roads. In accordance with a legislative 
enactment of the session of 1840- '41 a state road was laid 
out thru Woodford, extending from Oliver's Grove, Living- 
ston county, to Peoria. It passed thru Bowling Green 
Versailles and Washington, being seventy-four miles in 
length, ninet<H^n of which were in this county. A second 
state road was from Bloomington to Spring Bay, while still 
others included one from Peoria to Ottawa and one along 
the northern border of the county. These roads were not 
kept in very good condition, and it was many years before 
bridges were built. One of the oldest of these was across 
Walnut creek, near Mount Zion, and was known as Travis 
bridge. 

The earliest provision made by the commissioners for 
the betterment of roads was in 1841, when the county was 
divided into fifteen districts, in each of which there was 
a supervisor of roads. This number was increased as the 
needs of the county demanded. The first of these were as 
I'ollows : Meredith Myers, Allen Patrick, James Richardson, 
Allen Hart, James Phillips, AYm. P. Atteberry James 
Mitchell, Peter Engel, Joseph Nelson, Thornton Park- 
er, Jefferson Iloshor, John Foster, Jefferson Soward", 
and Benjamin Major. The roads of the county 
were superintended by such supervisors until the division 
into townships in 1855, when each township chose its own 
commissioners. 

The first public means of conveyance aside from boats 
on the rivers and lakes, was the stage coach. These were 
large, brilliantly painted vehicles, a little on the style of the 
'bus of today. They were usually drawn by four horses 
and made what was considered at that period very good 
time. One of these lines ran thru Versailles and Bowling 
Green to Peoria, being ferried across the Illinois. Another 
line passed thru Hanover. Fred llartman, for many years 
the bell ringer at Eureka College, was an old stage coach 



TRAVEL AND COMMUNICATION. 117 

driver on the line thru Mackinaw. While living he was able 
to tell many interesting altho trying experiences passed thru 
by the early coach driver. It was sometimes necessary to 
pry the wheels out of the mud with a rail, and the passen- 
gers were called on to assist in the operation, before the 
coach could proceed on its journey. These coaches carried 
the mails, but these were small, consisting of a few papers 
and an occasional letter. 

The pioneer did not need the stage greatly, as he usual- 
ly walked or rode horseback. IMany a settler made his tour 
of investigation on foot or horseback, going back to bring 
his family to his new found home. William Fisher, who 
came here from Vermont, walked back to that state for his 
wife. Elijah Marshall tells of walking from Detroit to Ot- 
tawa. They covered abor.t fifty miles a day. They would 
get supper and sleep at one place and would rise at day- 
light and walk until breakfast time, when they would get 
breakfast at another place. Rowland Davison, who later 
settled in Linn township, walked a great part of the journey 
from Troy, New York, to Groveland and return. Joseph 
Meek made his first trip to Woodford county on horseback. 

The pioneer was aceustonu'd to meeting and overcoming 
difficulties, and met and accomplished the long journey as 
he did all other tasks in his way. 

It was not until 1854 that a railroad was built thru the 
county, but navigation on the Illinois was open aiid Spring 
Bay was quite a good point for many years. A carrier was 
employed to take the mail from Kappa to Spring Bay twice 
a week, George Taggart being employed in that position. 
He visited Metamora and Eureka on the route. 

The building of the Illinois Central opened a new epoch 
in the history of the county. It passed thru the eastern 
part which was practically unsettled at the time of the con- 
struction of the roatl. This company received substantial 
aid from the governnumt, l>eing granted each alternate sec- 
tion of land for six miles on each side of the track. This 



118 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

gave the eomjiany thousands of acres of land in the best 
region of the county. In return for this grant of land the 
company agreed to pay into the state treasury seven per 
cent of its gross income annually. The income to the state 
from this source from 1855 to the present time exceeds 
twenty-seven million dollars. 

At the time of the building of this road it was possible 
to ride for miles without seeing a single dwelling house, l)ut, 
immediately upon the construction of it, the region began to 
be settled and is now one of the most ])opulous parts of the 
county. Soon the entire aspect of the country was changed. 
Farm houses began to dot the prairies and several towns 
soon sprang up along the line of road. Panola was one of 
the first of these. At that time the engines used wood as 
fuel, and had a wooding station near Panola. South of there 
a turntal)le was located in the early history of the road. 

Four years later, in 1856, a second railway was l)uilt 
thru the county, known as the eastern branch of the Peoria 
and Ocpiakwa, later called the Toledo, Peoria and Warsaw, 
and now known as the Toledo, Peoria and Western. This 
road crossed the Central at right angles. As in the case of 
the building of the first line, it resulted in the establishment 
of several towns that have since become of considerable im- 
portance. It extended a mile north of the old town ,of Eu- 
reka, and had the result of locating the city a mile north of 
the original site. This road has since become an important 
line of travel between Peoria and eastern cities, and also 
has extensive Chicago traffic. 

The same year that witnessed the construction of this 
road, saw the surveying of the Tonica and Petersburg line 
thru Metamora, but it was not constructed. In 1870 the; St. 
Louis, Jacksonville and Chicago was built thru to Metamora 
and later was finished to WajShington by the Chicago and 
Alton company, which had come into possession of the road. 
Metamora township l)onded itself for $50,000, to aid in the- 
construction of the road, and Cazenovia township also took 



TRAVEL AND COMMUNICATION. 119 

stock in the company to the amount of i|;50,000. The •)ri4inal 
plan was to complete the road farther south, but the work 
was not done. In recent years the trains on this road_ have 
run into Peoria over the Toledo, Peoria and AVestern. 

On the completion of this line the Low Point post office 
and store, that were located a short distance from the persent 
site of the town, were moved to the town as it is nov/ located. 

In 1872 the Chicago, Pekin and Southwestern road was 
constructed. The various townships along the road sub- 
scribed liberally toward building the line. Miuonk town- 
ship subscril)ed $50,000. Clayton also pledged a like 
amount, but it was never paid owJ^'j/ to a technicality that 
allowed the township to escape payment. Olio township 
voted $50,000, after a bitter contest. The road was never 
completed thru the township, altho the grading was finished. 
The comi)letion of the road required the building of two ex- 
pensive bridges. This, coupled with suits for damages in- 
curred from grading, probably resulted in the abandonment 
of tlie plan, the T. P. & W. tracks being used instead. Roa- 
noke township did not vote bonds, but donated $5,000 in 
private subscriptions on condition that a switch be put in 
near the present site of Roanoke. The road is now under 
the control of the Santa Fe. For several months during 
1892 this branch was a link in a line from St. Louis to Chi- 
cago, operating what was known as the Red Express. Dur- 
ing the continuance of this arrangement Eureka Ayas the 
end of the division, a round house and turntable being 
located at the junction of the T. P. & W. and Santa Pe east 
of there. A number of men were brought to Eureka by this 
plan. The trains were discontinued because of the protest 
of the Passenger Association which charged the St. Louis 
end of the line with cutting rates. 

In 1873 a line of road was constructed that was known 
as the middle division of the Illinois Central. It extends 
from Minonk to Kankakee, connecting with the Blooming- 
ton and Kankakee branch at Kempton. It enters Woodford 



120 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

a short distance south of Minonk and runs into that city 
over the main line of the Central. Minonk is made the 
terminal and has profited much from its construction. 

The last road to be constructed thru the county was 
the Lake, Erie and Western thru Montgomery township. 
This was constructed in. 1888 and has resulted in the estab- 
lishment of Goodfield and Congerville. It has been a great 
convenience to the southern portion of the county and has 
given them a closer market for their grain and stock. 

With the multipication of railways there come an in- 
crease in. ease of communication. The mail service has been 
developed to a degree of perfection that was hitherto un- 
tbot of. One of the greatest advance steps taken in this de- 
partment has been developetl during the past eight years 
in rural mail delivery. The offices of the county each have 
from one to three carriers, who reach practically all the 
farm houses in the county. Their routes vary from 20 to 27 
miles, and their lines are laid out so as to give service to the 
greatest number. , 

The telegraph has developed side by side with the rail- 
roads, but it is only within the past (luarter of a century 
that it has become the popular means of newspaper 
service. News was often a week old before it was 
published in the dailies. As late as 1858 an account of 
the Douglas rally at Metamora on September 30th, ap- 
peared in the Chicago Daily Times, of October sixth. The 
county is now crossed by numerous wires of both the West- 
ern Uaion and Postal Telegraph Companies. 

It is difficult to ascertain the date of the introduction 
of the first telephone in the county. Dr. N. B. Crawford 
had one in operation between his house and office at least 
twenty-five years ago. This was among the first used. Now 
the county is served by numerous telephone exchanges, that 
have telephones in hundreds of homes in the county. 

The latest means of travel is the automobile, which has 
become very popular during the past five or six years. 
There are now several hundred in the county. The Meta- 



TRAVEL AND COMMUNICATION. 121 

mora Herald speaks of a vehicle, built by Geo. Marsh and a 
painter named Smith, as the forerunner of the automobile. 
This was constructed in 1858 and was considered a marvel 
at that time, but it finally went into the scrap pile. The 
memory of it is only recalled by the recent introduction of 
the automobile and its adoption as a popular means of 
travel. 



CHAPTER XII. 

War Records. 

IN the great eivil strife that threatened to destroy the na- 
tion, Woodford county maintained her loyalty to the 
union. When hostilities broke out party prejudices were 
laid aside and with but few exceptions the citizens were 
loyal to the national government, while President Lincoln 
received their support in his effort to put down the rebel- 
lion. The approach of the war cloud had been watched 
with growing interest. Slavery had many opi)onents thruout 
the country, as was shown by the existence of the branch of 
the underground railroad thru the county. 

When the president's call for troops was issued, Wood- 
ford responded with alacrity. Governor Richard Yates, 
famous as the war governor of Illinois, found a ready re- 
sponse to each call that he made upon the county. In ap- 
portioning troops, it was customary to divide the number 
called for among the various counties of the state according 
to population. 

Women were no less loyal than the men and suffered 
untold hardships that husbands, brothers and fathers might 
enter the field. The privation endured during those four 
years of war can never be adequately described. Men svif- 
fered untold hardships on the battlefield, but the dangers 
from battle were but a small part of those suffered in camp 
or on the march. Privation and exposure wrought far 
greater havoc in the ranks than ever shot and shell. 

The hardships of those at home were increased by the 
depreciated currency, causing high prices and a correspond- 

(133) 



WAR RECORDS. 123 

ing difficulty in getting the necessities of life. Everything 
possible was done to minimize those hardships, but even 
these efforts availed but little in meeting the actual needs 
of the hour. Woodford county expended $41,761.24 in aid- 
ing the families of soldiers, while the husbands and fathers 
were at the front. 

At the breaking out of the war the population of Wood- 
ford was given as 13,281, out of which number 1,643 soldiers 
were accredited to the county, during the four years of the 
struggle. In other words fully twelve per cent of the total 
population of the county was in the field. These were scat- 
tered among various regiments and companies but a number 
of these were almost entirely recruited in this county while 
still others often had two or three soldiers from it. The 
government did all that was possible to prevent a draft. A 
bounty was offered to each soldier enlisting but it finally be- 
came necessary to resort to a draft in some townships. Sub- 
stitutes were frequently employed to take the place of the 
man who had been drafted but did not care to go. Various 
figures were paid for these substitutes, $500 to $600 being a 
popular price, but in some cases it reached $1,000. Some 
townships sought to guard against draft by the offer of a 
liberal bounty in addition to that offered by the national 
government. In other instances a number of men banded 
themselves together to protect themselves from draft. Some- 
times there were ten and at other times twenty members, 
each agreeing to pay his part toward the purchase of a sub- 
stitute, should one of their number be drafted. In some 
cases men were drafted and accepted, who had enlisted 
earlier in the war and had been rejected because of some 
ph.ysical disability that rendered them unfit for service. This 
was due to the great need for men later in the war that 
rendered the government less exacting. 

The union plan of the war contemplated four great 
movements, 1st, the opening of the Mississippi river; 2nd, 
the blockading of the southern ports ; 3rd, the marching 
thru the enemies' country to the sea; 4th, the capture of 



124 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

Richmond. AVoodt'ord county soldiers were principally en- 
gaged in movements for opening the Mississippi and for 
opening the south. 

The first company having a large part of its enlistment 
made up of Woodford county men, was Company G of the 
Seventeenth Infantry. It was captained by Otis A. Burgess, a 
Christian minister, who was at one time president of Eureka 
College. Burgess Memorial Hall, of that institution was 
erected in his honor, largely thru the generosity of his 
widow. On his resignation in April, 1862, Lieutenant 
Johnathan II. Rowell was promoted to the captaincy. He 
had been a student in Eureka College, and made an excellent 
record both during and after the war. He became promi- 
nent in the political life of Bloomington and later represent- 
ed that district in congress. The regiment of which this 
company was a part was mustered into the service at Peoria, 
May 25, 1861, and June 17th it left for Alton, where it 
spent some time arming and drilling, after which it entered 
into the active hostilities of Missouri. It took part at Fort 
Henry and Donaldson, and also in the terrible conflict at 
Pittsburg Landing, April 6th and 7th. The regiment was 
under fire the entire day of the sixth. The battle raged with 
varying success, and at nightfall General McClernand 
formed his ranks for the eighth time. Thru the entire bitter 
contest the seventeenth fouglit valiantly, and in the morn- 
ing took part in the stubborn conflict that resulted in driv- 
ing the enemy from the field. In the two days' battle the 
regiment lost 130 killed and wounded, several of whom were 
from Woodford county. During the next six months the 
regiment was engaged in numerous movements in that 
region, and later went to Vicksburg and took part in the 
final investment of that city. After the surrender of Vicks- 
burg took place, it remained there doing garrison duty and 
making excursions into the enemy's country. The regiment 
was mustered out at Springfield in May, 1864, their term of 
service having expired. 

The Forty-seventh Infantry also contained the names of 



WAU RECORDS. 125 

many from Woodford, companies B and I being largely 
made up from the county. Captain Daniel Miles of Washing- 
ton, for whom the Dan Miles Post, G. A. R., of Eureka, is 
named, was the first captain of company B, but was soon 
promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and was followed in turn by 
Captain Joseph B. Miles, Benjamin P. Biser, and Diego C. 
Ross. Company I was captained by Samuel S. Jackman and 
Chester Andrews, the former l)eing from Linn township and 
the latter from Minonk. 

The regiment was organized and mustered into the ser- 
vice of the United States at Peoria, August 16th, 1861. On 
the 23rd of September it moved to St. Louis, going into 
quarters at Benton Barracks near that city. It remained 
there doing garrison duty and drilling until December. In 
February, 1862, it joined Pope's command, and accompanied 
him on his advance toward Corinth. In the engagement 
October 3rd and 4th, the regiment lost 30 killed and over 
100 wounded. It joined General Rosecrans, and on the first 
of April, 1863, the regiment disembarked near Vicksburg. 
Here the men were assigned to various duties. May 22nd, 
it participated in a charge on Vicksburg, sufi^ering quite a 
heavy loss. The remainder of the time of service after the 
fall of that city was spent by this regiment guarding the 
Memphis and Charleston line of railroad, and in service in 
the vicinity of Vicksburg. It returned to that city after a 
severe campaign lasting three months. October 11th, the 
regiment was discharged at Springfield. It was re-organiz- 
ed, and again went south into Kentucky, Tennessee and 
Mississippi. After the fall of Mobile, the regiment marched 
with the Sixteenth army corps to Montgomery, Alabama, 
and was later stationed at Selma. It was mustered out Jan. 
21st, 1866. 

The Seventy-seventh Infantry contained three compa- 
nies in which a number of Woodford county men were en- 
listed. Company C was the first of these and was captained 
by Joseph M. McCulloch, who was succeeded by Charles P. 



126 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

McCulloch on the promotion of the former. Company F was 
under the command of William W. Cromwell, until May 17, 
1864, when James A. Secord succeeded him. Company II 
was under the command of Captain G. Keedy, up to the time 
of his death in January, 1863, when Milgrove B. Parmeter 
succeeded him. The Keedy Post, G. A. R., of Minonk is 
named in honor of Captain Keedy. 

The Seventy-seventh infantry was organized and 
mustered into the service September 3, 1862, at Peoria. It 
advanced to Covington, and reported to Major General 
Gordon Granger. It remained in Kentucky without any- 
thing of special importance transpiring, until November, 
when the regiment went to Memphis, and later advanced to 
Vicksburg, and participated in the attack on the rebel 
works. After four days' fighting the attack was abandoned. 
The regiment behaved admirably in the attack on Arkansas 
Post January 10th, and was complimented by the general in 
command. After this the regiment engaged for two months 
in digging a canal across the point opposite Vicksburg. It 
remained with Grant during the entire campaign around 
Vicksburg, and upon the surrender of that stronghold, it 
took part in the capture of Jackson. The seventy-seventh 
went south into Louisiana and accompanied General Banks 
on his advance to Alexandria. The army marched up the 
Red river, driving the enemy, until they reached the Sabine 
Cross Roads. The regiment belonged to the division under 
command of General Ransom and was first ordered to sup- 
port the cavalry. Before the army could be brought for- 
ward, the whole rebel army came down on their force and 
overwhelmed the entire division. It suffered terribly in this 
battle, losing 176 officers and men, killed, wounded or made 
prisoners, leaving only 125 men in the regiment for duty. 
After this campaign it took part in the reduction of Forts 
Gaines and Morgan, later joining the army of General Can- 
by, and was with his array in the siege and capture of 
Spanish Fort Blakely and Mobile. It was mustered out of 
service in July, 1865, having been engaged in sixteen battles. 



WAR RECORDS. W 

Company C of this regiment was made up of men from the 
vicinity of Cazenovia, Metamora and Linn townships. 
'Company P also contained several men from the region of 
Metamora and other Woodford county points, no one place 
being represented by more than a few men. Company I was 
composed of Minonk and Clayton township volunteers. 

Company A of the Eighty-sixth Infantry was recruited 
in Olio and ElPaso townships. It was under the command 
of William S. Magarity and later of Joseph Major. It was 
mustered into the United States service at Peoria, August 
27, 1863. On. the 8th of September, it went to Louisville, 
Kentucky, where it joined Buell in his pursuit of Bragg. It 
was in the advance in the charge at Perryville and suffered 
a correspondingly heavy loss. The regiment marched into 
Tennessee, and on Sept. 19th and 20th, participated in the 
battle of Chiekamauga. After this the regiment was en- 
gaged in a series of movements, first assisting G-eneral 
Sherman to Hoat his pontoons down the river at night, cross 
his army and capture a post, following Bragg afterward, 
then joined an expedition for the relief of Burnside, taking 
part in a reconnoissance as far as Buzzard Roost, and in the 
fight at Resaca, Ga. It lost heavily in the charge at Kenesaw. 

The regiment joined Sherman in his famous march to 
the sea, reaching Savannah, Dec. 11th, 1864. In January 
it started north thru the Carolinas, arriving at Richmond, 
May 7th, and Washington, May 19th. It participated in 
the grand review at Washington, D. C, in which thousands 
of battle tried veterans marched down the streets and were 
reviewed by the chief officers of the union. June 21st, the 
regiment received its discharge. 

Company D, captained by David R. McCutcheon, con- 
tained men from Eureka, Panola, Minonk and other Wood- 
ford county points, while company E, captained by 
Winfield M. Bullock, and later by William A. Davi- 
son, contained volunteers from Eureka, Metamora, 
Seeor and Roanoke. The regiment was organized at Peoria 



128 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

and mustered into the service Aug. 28th, 1863. Leaving 
Peoria it went into Kentucky, where it remained until De- 
cember, when it joined Sherman in his expedition against 
Vicksburg. On the disembarkment of this army, the enemy 
was found strongly fortified on the bluffs northeast of the 
city. The regiment took a prominent part in the union at- 
tack. Sharp skirmishing took place during the day, and the 
soldiers remained under arms during the night. In the morn- 
ing they were ordered to retake tiie position of the previous 
day. They remained at the front until midnight, when they 
withdrew and with a battery from Chicago, -covered the re- 
treat of the army. This withdrawal of the forces was so well 
planned that the enemy did not know of the retreat until it 
was accomplished. The 108th was highly complimented for 
its conduct in this conflict It also took part in the capture 
of Arkansas Post, after which the regiment moved to a point 
almost opposite Vicksburg. The months of February and 
March witnessed the death of 135 members of the regiment 
from disease, due to exposure and unsanitary conditions. 
During the two months of their stay opposite Vicksburg, 
they were engaged on the famous canal. One day during its 
occupation of Young's Point, the 108th received a command 
to go down the river on guard duty; shortly after a second 
order came to go up to Milliken Bend to take part in a 
charge. The officers sent an inquiry as to which order to obey, 
and were told to follow the first while an Iowa regiment was 
assigned to the charge. As soon as the enemy witnessed the 
preparations for attack, they charged the Iowa regiment 
and half of them were killed. The 108th thus escaped 
practical annihilation by obedience of the first order. The 
last of April the iron-clad gunboat. La Fayette, carrying 
the 108th, ran the batteries of Vicksburg and reached the 
battlefield of Fort Gibson in time to participate in the vic- 
tory. It won honorable mention by its admirable conduct 
in the battle at Champion Hills. It later returned to Vicks- 
l)urg, and was engaged in various duties. It furnished 
lieavy details of men for the heavy mortars of the boats. 



WAR RECORDS. 129 

and a number of men were permanently disabled by the con- 
cussion from the discharge of the mortars. 

Later it marched into Tennessee and took part in th& 
battle at Brice's Cross roads, which resulted in a union de- 
feat, but the 108th was the last to leave the field, and then 
only when it had used its last cartridge and found it im- 
possible to gain a fresh supply. The regiment took part in 
the capture of Mobile, Captain W. M. Bullock being severely 
wounded in the siege. It was discharged from the service 
at Chicago, Aug. 11th, 1865. 

Early in the spring of 1864, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and 
Ohio tendered the president 85,000 one-hundred day men to 
to relieve the veteran soldiers from guard duty at our forts, 
arsenals and elsewhere. Illinois furnished thirteen regiments 
and two battalions of the above number. 

Company C of the 139th regiment had the names of a 
number of volunteers from Eureka. It was under the com- 
mand of Dietrich C. Smith, and was mustered into service 
at Peoria, June 1st, 1861, and on the 8th of June, was moved 
to St. Louis. From there it went to Columbus, Ky., and later 
to Cairo, where it remained until August as garrison, a part 
of its duty being to guard prisoners. It took part in the 
pursuit of a guerilla party that had been preying on the 
neighboring country. September 25th, it was ordered to 
Peoria to be mustered out, but just at that time General 
Price was moving toward St. Louis, which was imperfectly 
guarded. President Lincoln ordered the 139th to that city. 
The time of enlistment had expired, but when the men 
imderstood the situation they willingly obeyed the order. 
President Lincoln commended the men highly for their 
patriotism in going to his command after the expiration of 
their time. The regiment was mustered out of the service 
after having been on duty five months. 

Woodford county also sent loyal soldiers to the front 
in the cavalry regiments. Cavalry duties were quite severe 
as these soldiers were so fre(|uently employed on scouting 
expeditions. 



130 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

Company G of the Fourth Cavalry was made up of 
numerous YS-'oodford county men. It was under the com- 
mand of Harry D. Cook, until his promotion, when he was 
succeeded by Elijah II. Baker. The greater portion of the 
recruits came from the region of ElPaso or over the line in 
McLean county. The regiment was mustered into the ser- 
vice September 26, 1861, having been organized by Judge 
T. Lyle Dickey, of Ottawa. It went to Springfield, where it 
received arms, w^hich were left in their cases until Cairo was 
reached. In December, 1861, a reconnoissance of Columbus 
was ordered and the Fourth Cavalry became the advance of 
the movement. It took part in the capture of Forts Henry 
and Donelson, and April 6tli and 7th, participated in the 
battle of Pittsburg Landing. After that victory it was kept 
pretty busy scouting the front. It went with the army 
against Corinth. The time between that and the arrival of 
the regiment at Vicksburg was s^jent in scouting. It was 
mustered out of the service at Springfield, in November, 
1864. When it left Cairo to enter the field it numbered 1,100 
men, when it came back it had but 340. 

In October, 1861, Robert G. Ingersoll, of Peoria, and 
Bazil D. Meek, of Eureka, received permission to organize 
a regiment of cavalry, made up of recruits from Woodford, 
Tazewell, Peoria and other neighboring counties. It was 
mustered into the United States service Dec. 20, 1861, but 
remained in Camp Lyon, Peoria, until Feb. 22nd, 1862, when 
the regiment broke camp and marched to- Benton Barracks, 
near St. Louis. The first experience under fire was at Pitts- 
burg Landing. The regiment was on duty between Pitts- 
burg Landing and Corinth up to the capture of that place. 
The (eleventh saw hard fighting at Bolivar, Tenn., Corinth 
and luka, and during the winter of 1862- '63 Col. Ingersoll, 
with several others, was captured and paroled. The entire 
history of the regiment was one constant activity, moving 
from jilace to place, taking part in a great number of move- 
ments and battles. Bazil D. Meek, one of the organizers, 
was Lieutenant Colonel, and after the resignation of Inger- 



WAR RECORDS. 131 

soil, owing to his parole, Mr. Meek acted as colonel for a 
time, resigning his position in 1863. The close of the war 
brought joy to the hearts of the members of many Wood- 
ford county homes, and all rejoiced that the long, weary 
war was over, but there were many who went out who never 
returned, and the tril)ute of a grateful nation can never be 
too fully given to the valiant, sacrifieing soldiers of the civil 
war. 

Tears for the grief of the father. 
For a mother's anguish, tears ; 
But for him that died for his country, 
Glory and endless years. 

—HO WELLS. 

At home the loyal patriots, who were prevented from go- 
ing to the front by one reason or another, banded themselves 
together in a League, known as the Loyal Sons of America 
and gave moral support to the cause of the Union in every 
way possible. 

Woodford county also proved loyal in other ways as 
well in the great Civil War. 

Black Hawk War. 

The settlers suffered but little actual trouble from the 
Indians, altho the Black Hawk war produced a feeling of 
dread among them. The conflict with the rebellious chief was 
farther north than Woodford. Black Hawk had watched 
the encroachments of the whites with a jealous eye, and 
when the Indians were asked to yield the region of the mouth 
of the Rock river, he refused to obey, and in 1831 made his 
open defiance. The first campaign was without bloodshed, 
but the second, in 1832, was far more serious. There were 
constant rumors of impending dangers that kept the pio- 
neers in a state of unrest. Henry B. Meek, of Walnut Grove, 
was captain of the Home Guards and was called to gather 
twelve men for the conflict with the Indians. He is said to 
have ])een at the plow whea the command came and immedi- 
ately set about the task of raising men. Among those who 
were in this war from Woodford county are found the 



132 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

names of John and James Benson, Jonathan Baker, John E. 
Davidson, Thomas A. MeCord, Jesse Oatman, Allen Patrick, 
William IMair, John and Robert Bird, Josiah Moore and 
James Phillips. 

It was but a day's travel to the point where depredations 
were being committed, and it was not known how soon the 
Indian forces might fall upon the unprotected settlers. The 
people were on their guard. In the vicinity of Walnut 
Grove, the dogs one night kept up a constant barking about 
the home of Mr. Watkins, and the family feared that Indians 
were skulking about the woods, altho no attack was made. 
This anxiety led him, together with Joseph, Daniel, Henry 
Meek and others to take their families south to the vicinity 
of Little Mackinaw, in the Railsback settlement, where there 
would be less danger. As soon as they had brought them to 
a place of safety, the men returned to protect their homes 
and stock. A party stayed at night in a log Imrn belonging 
to Daniel Meek and watched lest there be a night attack. It 
was composed of Noel Meek, Joseph ]\Ieek, Jonathan Baker, 
John Kellum, William Blair and Daniel Meek. They were 
armed with rifles and were prepared to give the enemy a 
warm reception, should any attack occur, but they had no 
opportunity of showing what could be done. The feelings 
of the settlers were being constantly harrowed by reports 
of what the Indians had done. On one occasion they were 
reported to have captured tw^o young girls north of here. 
So great was the excitement over the fate of the girls and 
so deep was the anxiety for their safety that a ransom was 
offered and accepted for their release. The settlers in the 
vicinity of Greene township were also considerably dis- 
turbed and left their cabins to seek safety in the more thick- 
ly settled region of Walnut Grove. The soldiers, who were 
in the war from this county, were only in the service a short 
time, being enrolled May 4th, at Bloomington, and mustered 
out May 27th, 1832 at the mouth of Fox river, 130 miles from 
the place of enrollment. No lives were lost among them. 
They were under command of Captain Robert McClure, of 



WAR RECORDS. 133 

McLean county. After a severe defeat Black Hawk was 
finally captured, and the war ended. All the fighting had 
taken place in the region of the Rock river. This war put 
an end to the trouble with the Indians in this part of the 
country. From that time forward the whites had undisputec; 
possession of the land. Black Hawk himself went to Iowj: 
and in time built him a house and settled on a farm, wher<- 
he died at the age of 72 years. 

Mexican War. 

Woodford county was not greatly affected by the Mexv- 
can war, and was not so largely represented in that coi 
flict as might have been expected. As in all other wars me > 
were valiant and unflinching in their performance of dut,/, 
ever ready for service, whatsoever that might be. 
Spanish-American War. 

The Spanish-American war also found volunteers frc."'' 
Woodford county, altho the actual enlistment was smaii. 
yet there were many ready to volunteer at once should t;'- 
need become manifest. 

Of those enlisted, the name of Captain Kerrick is mo.r. 
prominent. By faithful service he rose to the lieutenancy 
of Company D of the Second Illinois Infantry. On July 25i vi, 
1899, he was commissioned captain of Company F of iin'. 
Thirtieth Illinois Infantry. Since the close of the war h';. 
has remained in the regular army and is now stationed .'-;i". 
■ uj;.: .r-i.iiu!, '\\here he has done excellent service, in !,[:■.; 
coast defence. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Storms and Epidemics. 

WOODFORD county has been comparatively free 
from serious storms and epidemics, yet there 
have been epidemics in its history that wrought 
havoc among the people and there have been storms 
that have carried destruction with them. In 1849 
the cholera broke out and claimed numerous victims. All 
the horrors of the great plague were upon the 
pioneers. The agony of the sufferer, the isolation he had to 
endure, and the gloom of the silent burial by night were all 
present . In 1852 a second outbreak of the dread disease 
occurred. Among those taken from the prominent ranks of 
settlers was Ben. Major, founder of Eureka College. The loss 
of life was more serious than in the previous epidemics. 

Storms. 
As has been observed the early settlers endured much 
from severe winters and great storms. The winter of 1830- 
'31 will always be remembered in history as the year of the 
great snow, causing widespread suffering, but the winter of 
1836- '7 witnessed a storm that wrought even greater de- 
struction to stock and caused at least two deaths in the 
county. It was in mid-winter and the weather had been 
unusually mild. Suddenly it turned bitterly cold. Stock 
that was any distance from shelter was frozen before it 
could be reached. A Mr. Butler and his daughter in Part- 
ridge township were caught by the storm and before they 
could reach a place of safety both had been frozen to death. 
Their liodies were not found for several days and then they 

(134) 



STORMS AND IPIDEMICS. 135 

were frozen so stiff as to render it necessary that they be 
put in large boxes for burial when the weather would permit. 
Wind storms have also wrought havoc in the county 
at various times. It has been visited by several storms that 
have swept everything before them, and have left paths of 
ruin behind them. Fortunately the territory covered by 
these has been limited, yet they have left a record of destruc- 
tion that is heart rending. 

The first great storm occurred in 1858. It occun'ed 
May 13th, toward evening. It had been threatening during 
the day, but toward night a heavy wind began blowing 
from the west. It lulled a few minutes and tiic worst of the 
storm seemed passed, when the wind suddenly shifted to the 
north and blew a hurricane. It was not a tornado but a 
strong wind blowing with unexampled fury. It was wide- 
spread in its destruction and all parts of the county suf- 
fered from its ravages. Trees were uprooted or broken off; 
barns were destroyed ; houses moved from their foundations 
or destroyed, and stock was injured. It is impossible that 
any adequate account of the actual damage can ever be 
given, so broadcast was its destruction. 

Near Eureka the house of Jacob Felter was destroyed. 
The building was not entirely finished, and was probably 
not as strong as it otherwise would have been, yet it was 
near enough completion to enable the family to live com- 
fortably in it. Mr. Felter had gone out during the lull to 
look after his stock, and the side of the house fell on him. 
His feet extended from under the wall and his wife tried to 
raise it from his body, but was unable to do so. When it 
was raised from him he was dead. Another death occurred 
as a result of the storm, Mrs. Otto, residing near Secor, be- 
ing killed by it. In Clayton township Mrs. Susanna Tallyn 
had a thrilling experience, and a narrow escape from death. 
She still remembers with horror that terrible night with its 
dangers. Her husband was outside looking after the stock 
when the storm came up. They were also living in a house 



]36 lllSTOKY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

that was aot completed, yet it was regarded perfectly safe. 
The storm destroyed the house and caught Mrs. Tallyn be- 
tween the wall and the stove in such a manner that it was 
necessary to cut her clothing away before she could be re- 
moved. She and three small children were in the house 
together when the storm came, but as if by a miracle none 
of them were seriously injured. Mr. Tallyn, who was on the 
outside, was injured by having one of the out buildings fall 
on him. William Worthington, who lived near Mr. Tallyn 's 
also suffered damage from this storm, while the house of 
Dolphus Forney was one of the many blown from its foun- 
dation. The night following the storm was one of fear and 
dread. It continued, tho less fiercely, during the night, and 
with the morning came a full revelation of the havoc it had 
wrought 

Thie second great storm occurred October 19th, 1875. 
This time it was a fierce tornado, which crossed Roanoke 
and Clayton townships, doing vast injury to property and 
causing consternation among the people. This storm was 
first seen in the vicinity of Washington, and had the appear- 
ance of a great revolving mass of clouds in the air. There 
were abundant evidences of impending danger should it 
come to the ground. It did not come down, however, until 
it reached Woodford coiuity, in the neighborhood of Roanoke 
township. It struck the Bingham school house and dashed 
it to pieces. School had just been dismissed and but for 
the foresight of the teacher, who just succeeded in getting 
the children outside the path of the storm, some of them 
would undoubtedly have been killed. It destroyed the house 
of E. E. Bingham, the family escaping by going to the cel- 
lar. At Thomas Marshall's, part of the house was destroyed, 
and a great stone in front of it was moved several feet. 
The storm took its course toward A. C. Bullington's house. 
Here the building was dashed to pieces, and Mr. Bullington 
and children saved themselves by clinging to the hedge. The 
Jeter school was next in its course and was broken into a 
thousand pieces. A part of the blackboard is said to have 



STORMS AND EPIDEMICS. 137 

been found in Minonk township. C. II. Waldron's house 
was destroyed as was also Gideon Jeter's barn. Mrs. Char- 
lotte Stimpert's house was destroyed. All the family but 
Philip succeeded in getting into the cellar. He was carried 
some distance with the house, but was finally dropped 
without serious injury. Mr. Stimpert still has a vivid 
recollection of the storm and its results. He remembers 
that they had four wagons, two of which were new, and the 
storm took the spokes out of every wheel but one. The 
front part of one wagon was carried a half mile. The 
house of Mrs. Mary de Freise was destroyed, and she was 
injured. George Leonard's house suffered the common fate, 
as did also Mr. Snyder's home. He was the only one killed 
in the county as a result of the storm. The barn and trees 
about Plenry Memmen's place were blown down, and Wait 
Uphoff's house was completely destroyed. 

The storm was not wide, the main track of it being 
little over a hundred feet in width. Corn, which was just 
ready for husking was blown to the ground, and husking was 
done with great difficulty. There were numerous freaks of 
the wind in its wild flight across the prairies. At George 
Leonard's the baby was picked up and left on a straw stack, 
practically uninjured but with its clothing torn from its 
body. Posts were drawn from the ground and carried a 
distance and dropped with their pointed ends downward 
with such force as to drive them into the ground as solidly 
as if they had been set there by the hand of man. A stove 
in which there was fire was picked up and set on a straw 
stack, setting it on fire. A molasses bucket was picked up 
at the home of Thomas Marshall and carried to Samuel 
Bally 's a mile away and the lid still remained on the bucket. 
Several horses Avere killed by having rails driven thru their 
bodies. A quilt from A. C. Bullington's was picked up near 
Minonk. 

The storm was of short duration and did not cover a 
great extent of territory, but wrought complete havoc 
wherever it went. 



138 HISTOEY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

In June, 1899, a tornado passed over a part of the county 
doing considerable damage. It came to the ground this side 
of Deer Creek and moved in a northeasterly direction. It 
appeared to move up and down, striking one place and skip- 
ping the next. Southeast of Eureka it wrought havoc in 
.the midst of the timbers. Great trees were uprooted in 
large numbers, and there were many signs of the storm's 
terrible, work. The home of Robert Barrett was dashed to 
pieces. The occupants were absent at the time and suffered 
no injury. A number of other places were damaged, altho 
no other house was destroyed. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Political Views, 

POLITICALLY the county has usually been democratic, 
the vote at the first presidential election after the county 
organization, being Polk, democratic, 322, Clay, whig, 159. 
There have been occasional lapses from faithful adherence 
to the democratic party, but the presidential candidates on 
that ticket had a plurality in the county up to 1896, since 
which time the tide on presidential years has been in favor 
of the republicans. Prior to that year an occasional republi- 
can candidate for county office would be elected, but since 
then the offices have been almost equally divided between 
the two leading parties. At the present time the honors are 
quite equally distril)uted. 

The campaigns for several years have been very close 
with the rivalry between county candidates especially 
strong. 

Altho the elections were for many years one-sided af- 
fairs, they were not robbed of their intense interest. Torch- 
light processions, bands of music, tioats, banners, and fire- 
works were the characteristics of the campaigns for many 
years. Each side sought to make the greater display, and 
have the longer i^rocession. There was the old fashioned 
barbecue, attended by thousands of enthusiastic party ad- 
herents. 

One of the most striking of these was that in which 
Lincoln and Douglas held their famous debate. Slavery was 
the vital issue of that day, and the people saw in it the all 

(139) 



140 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

absorbing (iiiestion. Woodford county was deeply interest- 
ed in the solution of the problem. There were men of the 
Abolition type, who wouhl not hesitate in using every 
means possible for the uprooting of slavery, and who were 
especially strong in their opposition to the fugitive slave law. 

With men of tbis stamp in the county and with others 
of opi)osite views, it is not suri)rising that the appearance of 
Lincoln and Douglas in their famous campaign, should 
awaken an intense interest, that foinid vent in great enthusi- 
asm for the resi)ective senatorial candidates. The issiu's 
were closely drawn. Lincoln opposed the further extension 
of slavery, while Douglas advocated the allowing each state 
to decide for itself its attitude on slavery. The candidates 
for senators made a thoro canvass of the state, and they visit- 
ed one point in Woodford county, Metamora. It was not 
one of the seven places at which joint debates were held, but 
the candidates appeared within about a week of each otber. 
Douglas appeared there September 30th, 1858. The date on 
which these addresses took place is in doubt. The r-om- 
mittee having charge of the preparation of the bronxe 
tablet erected in the park at Metamora at th?i celebration 
of the fiftieth anniversary of the debate, fixed the date of 
the Douglas address as October 2nd, 1858, while that of 
Lincoln's address was October 9th, 1858, just one week 
later. These dates each fell on Saturday. Other evidences 
seem to point to Thui'sday, September 3()th, as the date of 
the appearance of the Little Giant, while Lincoln spoke the 
following Thursday, October 7th. 

Thousands of people gathered to hear the Douglas ad- 
dress. The speaker was met at Washington and was es- 
corted to jMetamora. The delegation was met by the Wood- 
ford County Men's Democratic club three miles out of town, 
and delegations from Eureka,, Minonk, Spring Bay and other 
places were in the procession. Minonk had eight four horse 
teams in line. There were banners bearing such signs as 
the following: "Popular Sovereignty;" "Let the People 



POLITICAL VIEWS. 141 

Rule;" "No Nigger Equality." The meeting was held in 
the grove half a mile out of town. There was boundless 
enthusiasm when Col. Roberts made the address of welcome. 

Douglas was known as the "Little Giant," and was an 
effective speaker. lie foretold democratic victory. 

Mr. Lincoln was hailed by a crowd about equal in size 
to that which greeted Douglas. He was better known to the 
people of the county than his opponent because he had 
practiced here so much and was a general favorite. He was 
not so polished in his manner of address as his antagonist, 
but there was a clear, forcible logic about his speeches that 
carried his hearers with him in his argument. The day was 
characterized by much the same display that was witnessed 
when Douglas was there. One of the features of the proces- 
sion was the gaily dressed riders representing the states of 
the union. Banners, bearing various inscriptions were 
borne in the procession. One of these excited a storm of op- 
position from the Douglas party, and threats were made 
against it. The banner represented Douglas pulling a boat 
load of slaves across the Ohio into Illinois. 

Lincoln's speech was characteristic of the campaign. 
At heart he was opposed to slavery, and used all of his 
eloquence to arouse the people to oppose its extension. 

The fiftieth anniversary of this great del)ate was cele- 
brated in 1908. The exercises in this eounty were held in 
connection with the Old Settlers' pienic, August 27, 1908. A 
great concourse of jx'ople gathered, of which numl)er a few 
were present at the original Lincoln and Douglas meetings, 
and took part in tlie celebration. A bronze tablet bearing 
the following inscription was erected : 

Spoke Here. 

Douglas, October 2nd, 1858. Lincoln, Oct()I)er 9th, 1858. 

Dedicated by Old Settlers and Historical Associations of 

Woodford County, August 27, 1908. 

The tablet was not erected on the site on which the 
celebrated addresses were made, as that was a sliort distance 



U^ HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

outside the city, but was i^laced in the park. Underneath 
the tablet was placed a box containing coins, papers and 
other objects that would be of interest in the future. 

Another campaign that was of unusual interest was that 
for the election of county officers in 1865. The excitement 
was intense, and the entire republican ticket composed as 
follows, was elected: Superintendent, John Buckingham; 
surveyor, E. W. Dickinson; county clerk, George Kinnear; 
treasurer, Joseph M. McCulloch ; county judge, William S. 
Magarity. 

The custom prevailed for many years of holding great 
political meetings attended by crowds drawn from miles 
around. One of the great rallies held in the county was the 
Logan meeting at ElPaso, October 6, 1872. It was attended 
by thousands of people. Logan was very popular, especially 
with the soldier class, who loved him for his courage. A 
special train brought a great crowd from Bloomington, and 
there was tremendous enthusiasm. More than a thousand 
came from that city alone, and one of the features of the 
parade was the full company of colored men from the Ever- 
green city. 

Another great rally was that held at Eureka in the 
campaign of 1888, when John M. Palmer and Andrew 
Jackson Bell, candidates for governor and lieutenant gov- 
ernor on the democratic ticket, were present and made 
addresses both afternoon and evening. There was an im- 
mense crowd, a long procession and banners of all sorts. 

The next campaign there was a great demonstration at 
Minonk at which Gov. Joseph W. Fifer was the principal 
speaker. There was the usual throng of excited party ad- 
herents, and the great torchlight procession. The Eureka 
umbrella brigade headed by Stumpf 's Military Band was the 
most attractive delegation in the parade. 

Another campaign that had novel features was that 
in which Benjamin H. Harrison was a candidate for presi- 
dent on the republican ticket against Grover Cleveland on 



POLITICAL VIEWS. 143 

the democratic. It derived its novelty from the fact that 
Mr. Harrison was a grandson of William Henry Harrison, 
of Tippecanoe fame, who was elected to the presidency in 
1840. Features of the campaign of 1810 were introduced 
into that of 1888. The log cabin, with the barrel of cider 
by the door, and the raccoon chained to the cabin, were 
features of the processions. The democrats retaliated with 
various banners, among which was that with the motto : 
"Grand-pa's hat won't lit Bennie." 

In recent years the campaign of pomp and display has 
given way to one of newspaper discussion, the so-called 
campaign of education. Time alone will tell the results. It 
is no longer necessary to ride for miles to hear a discussion 
of affairs of the day. The daily newspapers and magazines 
give a complete resume of the entire subject, far more com- 
prehensive than can be gained from a single address. 

There have been other questions aside from the usual 
political issues that have from time to time drawn the at- 
tention of the voters of the county. In 1855 a prohibitory 
proposition was presented to the county, and those interested 
in local option will notice that the county at that early day 
stood two to one against the prohibition idea, the vote being 
390 for to 668 against it. 

Another proposition frequently submitted was that of 
permitting stock to run at large. After several votes had 
been taken the proposition to keep stock off the roads car- 
ried in 1872 by a vote of 1,128, for keeping up stock, to 929 
against it. 

The annexed tables give the vote of Woodford on presi- 
dential candidates since the organization of the county, and 
also the list of county officers since it was formed. 



144 



HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 



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148 



HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 



Date| Democrat | Whig 

1844 I Poll< • • ■ ■ 322 I Clay . . 159 

1848 I Cass 3o6| Taylor. 183 

1852 I Pierce . . 635 |Scott . . 339 

1856 I Buchanan 747 | 

i860 i Douglas .. 1419 j 

1864 I McClellan 1685 

1868 I Seymour . 2246 | 

1872 I Greeley . 1732 I 

1876 1 Tilden . . . 2105 

1880 I Hancock 2364 1 

1884 ! Cleveland 2409 | 

1888 I Cleveland 2410 | 

1892 I Cleveland 2590 | 

1896 ] Bryan . . 2447 | 

igoo I Bryan . . . 2421 | 

1904 I Parker . . 1908 | 

1908! Bryan.. .2156I 



Republican 



Fremont. 
Lincoln . 
Lincoln . 
1 Grant . . . 
Grant . . . 
Hayes . . . 
Garfield . 
Blaine . . 
Harrison.. 
Harrison.. 
McKinley 
McKinley 
Roosevelt 
iTaft . . . . 



596 
12.38 
1270 
1862 
1545 
1733 
2007 
1803 
1812 

173^ 
2447 
2564 
2371 
2204 



Prohibition 



Dow . . 7 
St. John 112 
Fisk .. 165 
Bidvi^ell. 223 
Levering 87 
Woolley 178 
Swallow 232 
Chapin 203 




ORIGINAL DAVIDSON CABIN. 



Th(' above ca])in was erected by Caleb Davidson on the 

farm nortliwest of Eureka, directly after coming to the 

county in 1831. It stood until recently when it fell from 

decay and the roof alone remains. The man sitting in the 

cal)in doorwav is William A., the son of Caleb Davidson. 



CHAPTER XV. 

Industrial. 

MILLIxNG. 

TUVj milling- interests of Woodford county were at one 
time very extensive and every town of any size had one 
or more well equipped mills. Wheat was an important product 
and milling property was considered a good investment. In 
their prosperous days, the mills of the county represented 
an investment of $200,000. Several mills were each valued 
at $30,000 or more. Gradually the cultivation of wheat was 
abandoned. A number of successive failures in the yield 
discouraged men, who were accustomed to raising wheat, and 
other grains were raised in its stead. This led to the ruin of 
the milling business, as wheat could not be shipped in and 
made into flour in competition with the great mills. They 
were abandoned one by one until there are now very few 
remaining as a reminder of more prosperous days. 

The history of the first mills erected in the county is 
contained in the preceding chapters. They were an es- 
sential part of the early settlements, as communication with 
the outside world was slow and difficult, and this condition 
forced the settler to depend on the home mill. The earliest 
•variety was that operated by horse power, sometimes called 
a "corn cracker." One of these was found in almost every 
nieghborhood. In 1881 the mill on Panther creek was erect- 
ed by the Moores, and was the first water mill in the coun- 
ty. It was soon followed by Crocker's mill at Spring Bay 
and Hoshor's mill at the same place. In 188!) Richardson 

a49) 



150 HISTOKY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

Brothers built another mill on Panther cri^ek, near Bowling 
Green. These have long ago passed out of existence. The 
more modern mill represented a much larger investment 
than did these early outfits. ElPaso was once an important 
milling point. The first was erected by H. and E. Ives. It 
was a two-story structure and was destroyed by fire in 1869. 
It was then rebuilt at a cost of more than thirty thousand 
dollars. In 1868, Geo. L. Gibson erected his milling plant 
at a cost of $33,000. Each of these was sold at a great 
Siicrifice and the machinery was moved to points where the 
business was on a more paying basis. 

Eureka also had two splendidly equipped plants. In 
1856, the Eureka Milling Company was organized, con- 
sisting of John Darst, John Major, George Caliender, E. B. 
IMyers and W. S. Bullock. A large flour mill was erected on 
the site nov/ occupied by the canning factory. It was a large 
three-story structure, equipped with the best machinery. It 
later passed into the hands of J. A. Davis and R. D. Smith, 
the latter finally selling his share to J. J. Mishler. It was 
destroyed by fire in 1838, entailing a loss of $30,000 on its 
owners. The second of these was erected by Van Dyke and 
Adams, and was located on the southeast corner of the Tot 
now used by T. J. McGuire as a stock yard. It was under 
the management of W. G. Van Dyke, one of the best millers 
in Central Illinois. When roller process flour became the 
leading brand, the mill was furnished with new machinery 
and operated on the new system. It was destroyed by fire 
in 1882. 

In 1869. Col. Sidwell and James Carrol built a mill on 
the present site of the elevator oAvned by N. N. Hettinger, 
in Secor. This was later operated by L. Gassner. Jan. 30, 
1879, shortly after 9 :00 A. M., the boiler of this mill explod- 
ed, causing the most terrible tragedy ever enacted in Secor. 
There were four men killed outright, while another was 
crippled for life. Two of the men were blown across the 
track, while the engineer was covered with debris in the 



INDUSTRIAL. 



151 



engine room. A piece of boiler fell on the school grounds, 
more than a block distant, and another piece fell thru the 
roof of a house across the railroad. Those killed were 



U 
M 
!z! 
in 
o 
!2| 



t^ 
t^ 




Christian Mahlsteh, William Collins, Henry Brunce and 
Charles Wheeler, while Joseph Horn was crippled for life. 



152 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

The mill was not destroyed at that time, but it long ago pass- 
ed out of existence. 

The Panola mill also suffered from an explosion of its 
boilers, but it was by no means so serious in its results as 
it happened at the noon hour, when no one was there. The 
accident occurred in 1861 and caused great consternation 
among the people of that (juiet village. They left the dinner 
table to rush to the scene' of the disaster. The mill, which 
was owned by Patrick Ilines and John She{)ler was greatly 
damaged by the explosion. It long ago ceased to exist. 

Roanoke has one of the few mills now in operation in 
the county. It was erected in 1877, by Isaac Snyder, and is 
located near the Santa Fe track, west of the machine shops. 
It is now controlled by E. E. Husseman. 

Benson has for many years possessed a mill that has 
drawn the attention of men far and wide. It is built on the 
pattern of the old style Dutch mill. It received its power 
from four great wings which were propelled by the wind. 
These were each forty feet in length, and consisted of lattice 
work, on which canvas could be stretched. When the wind 
was strong a small amount of canvas was needed, but when 
the breeze was fainter, a corresponding increase in the 
amount of canvas was required to produce the needed 
power. These wings were attached to a revolving cap, that 
cOiUld be turned at the will of the operator in the direction 
from which the wind was blowing. The machinery was 
largely made from wood. One of the great wooden wheels 
which aids in transfering the motion of the wings to the 
machinery below measures twelve feet and seven inches in 
diameter. The wooden cog wheels are made with remark- 
able accuracy and skill. The mill was erected in 1872, by 
J. M. Schmidt and brother, and was for many years operat- 
ed by power from the wings alone. In recent years, an 
engine has been installed and it is no longer run by the wind. 
It is said that there is but one such mill in Illinois aside 
from this. No visitor in Benson is satisfied until he has gone 
thru the now famous mill. It was owned for many years by 



INDUSTRIAL. 153 

F. H. Thielen, but it is now the property of J. H. Monk. 

The Minonk mill is now the property of J. II. Kerrick. 
It was erected in 1867, by Sparlc and Norris, and in 1874, 
passed into the hands of its present owner. It is one of those 
that has continued to exist long after its neighbors have 
passed away. 

As early as 1836, S. S. Parke had a mill near the present 
site of the village of Metamora, ])ut it was not until 1868 
that M. Tool erected his steam flouring mill at a cost of 
$10,000. 

The same year that witnessed the erection of the Meta- 
mora mills saw the construction of a large milling plant at 
Washburn. August Younker came to that city in 1856, and 
in the above named year entered the milling business. He 
ultimately gave up the enterprise and the mill has gone into 
decay. 

Aside from the Crocker and Iloshor mills there was one 
erected at Spring Bay by Joe Ililenbrand and improved by 
William Burt. It finally passed into the hands of Ernest 
IVedricks. 

The milling history is fraught with the record of heavy 
financial loss to many of its investors, yet it was the earliest 
and consequently one of the most useful features of our in- 
dustrial life. 

GRAIN INTERESTS. 

Woodford county has always been an agricultural 
region. Its great wealth has been in its fertile, productive 
fields that have rarely failed to yield a rich harvest to the 
efforts of its tillers. The early dealers in grain stored it in 
warehouses erected for that purpose. It was many years 
before an elevator was erected. One of the most serious 
problems that faced the pioneer was a market for his grain., 
The markets of Chicago required ten days for a round trip. 
Peoria and Pekin were nearer, but even those cities were too 
far distant to be convenient market towns. Some time after 
the settlement of the county began, a market was opened in 



154 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

Spring Bay. The first warehouse was erected there by C. 
A. Genoways and Samuel S. Burt, in 1844. Later Richard 
Dement built a warehouse, and Lewis and Jackson Williams 
followed his example and entered the grain and stock busi- 
ness. This firm also were pork packers, and were engaged 
in the sale of general merchandise at the time. The dealers 
would buy grain during the winter and store it in their 
warehouses. When the river traffic opened in the spring, 
shipment would be made. As it was the only river town, it 
enjoyed a large shipping trade. It was located at a point 
that furnished easy means of transportation, and it was 
natural that grain should be brought for miles to the Spring 
Bay markets. On the completion of the Illinois and Michi- 
gan canal, the facilities for shipment were greatly increased, 
and for many years the village was the great shipping point 
for the county. In the height of its prosperity there were 
four firms buying grain there at the same time. The com- 
pletion of the railroads thru the county began to undermine 
the prosperity of the village. More convenient markets were 
opened and shipments were made by rail instead of by 
water. There is still, liowever, a great deal of grain bought 
in Spring Bay, and the business is a very satisfactory in- 
vestment. The elevator is owned by Smith, Hippen & Co., 
of Pekin and is managed by Louis Warner. 

The Illinois Central railroad brought the county in con- 
nection with the outside world by rail for the first time. 
New markets were established and these soon became the 
centers of commercial activity. In 1854 the first grain was 
purchased in IMinonk, Charles Dobson, C. W. Goodrich and 
Samuel Work being the first dealers. There was no elevator 
erected until several years after this, but the business grew 
so rapidly that in 1872 there were four dealers and it was 
estimated that those shipped 1,250,000 bushels of grain an- 
nually There are now four large elevators in Minonk, three 
of them located along the Central, and the fourth along the 
Santa Fe right of way. In 1905 B. M. Stoddard and J. A 



INDUSTRIAL. 155 

Simpson erected new elevators to take the place of the 
smaller ones they had previously used. The remaining 
dealers are U. B. Memmen and 0. M. Davison. 

Kappa was an important grain market ])efore many of 
the other towns were founded. It was no unusual occurrence 
for a hundred teams to be there with grain in a day. Prob- 
ably tile first dealer was Fred Niergarth, who had a small 
warehouse there, but a number of men bought grain at dif- 
ferent times. There was, however, no elevator there. The 
Illinois Central built a large store house, which was later 
turned into an elevator by William Casenwinkle. This was 
destroyed by fire. In 1883 the first elevator was built by J. 
B. Drake and George Lallman. The latter entered other 
lines of business, but Mr. Drake retained possession until 
recent years. Three years ago the property was purchased 
by Summers Bros., who own it at this time. Ed. S. Sum- 
mers has charge of it. 

Panola has prospered in the grain business since its 
foundation. It originally drew from a wide expanse of ter- 
ritory in both Panola and Greene townships. As in the case 
of Kappa, there were frequently scores of teams with grain 
in town in a day. Samuel Bally relates the following in- 
teresting experience which will throw some light on the 
grain trade of Panola. At the time, he was living in Greene 
township and the Panola dealers were offering a better 
price for grain than other towns were paying. He was 
hauling for a neighbor and his team became stalled near 
Patton's bridge. It was necessary to double teams and be- 
fore they had gotten their wagons across the stream, there 
were twenty-four teams waiting, all l)ound for the Panola 
elevators. The grain business is now in the hands of F. S. 
Larison and the Rogers Grain Company. 

The first grain sold in ElPaso, was bought by William 
M. Jenkins and his brother, Isaac. They did not have an 
elevator until a number of years after they had begun busi- 
ness. The first was built by George W. Fridl.ey in 1860, at a 



156 HISTORY OP WOODFORD COUNTY. 

cost of $6,000. Graft and Webster also built one shortly 
afterward. This was destroyed by fire in 1863, and was soon 
rebuilt. In 1873, William Jenkins built an elevator with a 
capacity of 12,000 bushels of grain, and in 1871 MeClellan 
and Seery erected one. In 1875 Webster and Graft suffered 
the loss of their second l)uildiug. The city now has three 
large elevators, each of whicli does an extensive business. 
Miles L. Miller owns one of these while F. S. Larison owns 
another. The third is owned by the ElPaso elevator com- 
pany. During the last few years several companies have 
been formed among the farmere for th« purchase of grain. 
They have erected thrcR large elevators at different points 
in tht conntj, i;xie company at ElPaso owning one of these. 
It was organized in 1903 with a capital stock of $16,000. 
The following are officers : President, Omer North ; secretary, 
Charles Gull; treasurer, J. T. Cleary; directors, James Wil- 
key, Louis Kingdon, M. J. Cleary, George Scheer, Charles 
Armstrong and John Pleasants. F, J. Koerner has been 
manager the past three years. 

For a number of years after the railroad was built thru 
Eureka, there was no elevator in the town, altbo there were 
several warehouses for the handling of grain. In 1863 J. i\l. 
Murray erected the elevator on Callender street. It remain- 
ed in his possession until he wished to retire from active 
business, in 1901, when it was purchased l)y T. J. ]\lcGuire, 
who now owns it. In 1901 P. A. Felter erected a large ele- 
vator on College street, and has conducted it since that time. 

Roanoke has always been a good grain point. Situated 
in the heart of a rich prairie region it has been prosperous 
as a result of the wealth of the surrounding country. Soon 
after the completion of the railroad in 1872, the first elevator 
was erected by William and Peter Crow, but it soon passed 
into the hands of Samuel Hollenback and W. B. Rickey. 
This elevator was afterwards purchased by Bartlett Frazier 
& Co., who sold to N. R. Moore. The property is now owned 
by J. P. Garber. The second elevator was soon erected by 



INDUSTRIAL. 157 

C. K. Snyder. A third grain house was erected on the west 
side by John Wren, of Washington, in 1895, and it is still 
owned by Mr. Wren. The first grain elevator in Secor 

was built by Peter Crow. There are now three in town, one 
of which is not in operation at present. In 1908 N. N. Het- 
tinger purchased the building erected by J. M. Murray in 
1901. This has a capacity of 100,000 bushels. The most 
recent enterprise is the Farmers' Elevator Company. It is 
capitalized at $8,000 and pays 10 per cent dividends. The 
following are officers : President, W. H. Armstrong ; vice- 
president, John Zeiger; secretary, C. W. Freyj treasurer, 
L. R. Deiner; directors, C. M. Colburn, John Hunsinger and 
Gottlieb Stoler. The present manager, Wm. Greiner, as- 
sumed control June 15, 1903. 

On the completion of the Santa Fe, Benson offered an 
inviting field for investment. In 1873, Samuel Peterson 
erected the first elevator in Benson, the building being the 
one owned by S. L. Peterson. The following year a company, 
composed of J. B. Miller, A. H. Brubaker and F. D. Learn- 
ed, erected the elevator now owned by J. E. Eckhart. In 
1874 George Fritze & Co., built the third building for handl- 
ing grain, which was operated by W. A. Pickernell and T. 
E. Coleman. This finally passed into the hands of James 
Shields. It has been replaced by a modern elevator that is 
still owned by Mr. Shields. 

Among the earliest grain dealers in Metamora was Peter 
Willard, who was a member of the firm of Scott and Munu 
in Spring Bay. This firm did an extensive shipping trade. 
It was not until after the building of the railroad thru the 
town that the first elevator was erected by Peter Schertz. 
There are now two elevators in the town, one owned by J. 
R. Wagner and the other by II. Wykle. 

The building of the Chicago and Alton road opened 
several good grain markets. The first elevator was built at 
Low Point in 1874 by Piper, Bayne & Co. It remained in the 
hands of a company for a number of years, but finally be- 



158 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

came the property of Banta Bros. & Co. The firm has a well 
equipped building. 

In 1871, W. 0. Hammers & Co., erected the first elevator 
in Cazenovia. This was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt 
by Peter Schertz. This elevator was purchased in 189;') by 
Bachman Bros., who still control the grain bus'uess there. 
In 1905, they erected a modern building. 

There is a new house for handling grain at Woodford, 
erected in 1907 by J. A. Simpson, the present owner. It is 
modern, well equipped and has an extensive trade. 

AVhen the L. E. and AV. railroad was built thru the 
county, elevators were erected at both Goodfield and Conger- 
ville. The first garin dealer at Congerville was J. F. Tobias, 
who began business soon after the establishment of the town 
in 1888. The elevator is now owned by Leslie Reel. The 
grain business owned in Goodfield was established the same 
year and is now owned by Simon Naffzinger. 

There are two elevators at Cruger, the one owned by 
Rumsey, More & Co., and managed by E. J. Perrine, the 
other owned by the Farmers ' Elevator Company and manag- 
ed by B. J. Kaufman. The officers are as follows : President, 
Martin Vorhees ; secretary, F. II. Kaufman ; treasurer, John 
Dorward; directors, John Dinglidine ; W. E. Bradle, James 
Stormer, John Blumenshine, Jacob Rich, D. D. WistehuflP, 
Chris Schertz, Chris Guth and John Pfeffinger. 

In 1870 the first elevator was Iniilt in Washburn, by 
S. W. McCulloch. The grain business of that city is now in 
the hands of i\Ioschel and Roh1)ins. 

BANKING. 
The banking interests of Woodford county have kept 
pace with the growing wealth of its people. For many years 
there was not a bank in the county, and the first steps taken 
toward the establishment of such institutions, were made by 
men connected with some other line of business and who 
took banking up as a side issue. During the past forty years 
there has been great increase in the amount invested in the 



INDUSTRIAL. 159 

banks of the county, and a correspondingly great increase 
in the confidence of the people in their safety. Only twice 
have the depositors in Woodford county banks been called 
upon to suffer from the inability of those having their money 
to pay their checks when presented. 

ElPaso has extensive banking interests. In 1SG6 the 
Bank of ElPaso was organized by John G. Ferguson and E. 
T. Disonary. Later the firm name was changed to Shur, 
Ferguson & Co., and in 1868 another change was made, the 
firm being known from that time as Shur, Tompkins & Co. 

In 1872 this company erected the magnificent Eagle 
Block at a cost of $60,000. This was destroyed by fire in 
July, 1894. In 1883, this bank failed. Immediately after 
the failure steps were taken for the organization of the First 
National Bank of ElPaso. July 10th, the .charter was issued 
and the bank opened for business with the following offi- 
cers: President, A. S. McKinney; vice-president, J. Q. 
Adams; cashier, S. T. Rogers; bookkeeper, Charles Cockel. 
F. B. Stitt soon assumed charge of the books and has re- 
mained with the institution since that time. The institution 
is capitalized at $50,000, and has a surplus of $10,000. 

The following are officers. President, A. S. McKinney; 
vice-president, Robert Hitch; cashier, F. B. Stitt; assistant 
cashier, L. K. Evans ; directors, A. H. Waite, J. Gilmore, and 
M, A. Adams. The Woodford County National Bank open- 
ed for business September 3rd, 1900, with a capital stock of 
$50,000, and it now has added a surplus and undivided 
profit of $15,000. The following are officers: President, J. 
F. Shepard; vice-president, J. G. Baker; cashier, J. F. 
Sturgeon; directors, George Schuman, Peter Thometz, Irvin 
Beale and F. S. Larison. 

The early banking interests of Eureka were in the hands 
of J. A. Davis. In 1868, he opened a bank at the Eureka 
Mills under the firm name of J. A. Davis & Co. Later Mr. 
Davis assumed complete control and soon opened a place of 



160 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

business in the l)uilding now occupied by the Woodford 
County Republican. He amassed a large fortune and on his 
death left a large amount to different benevolent institu- 
tions. On the death of Mr. Davis in 1892, the bank was 
closed. 

In 1882, John Darst organized the Farmers' Bank and 
the institution has been controlled wholly or in part by mem- 
bers of the Darst family since that time. At present this in- 
stitution is managed by J. P. Darst and J. A. McGuire. 

The State Banl<: of Eureka was organized under the di- 
rection of John Freeman, in 1895. Later Mr. Freeman 
moved to Mason City and Lyon Karr assumed control of the 
affairs of the institution. It is capitalized at $50,000, and is 
managed by the following directors : Lyon Karr, Ed. C. 
Engel, W. M. Meek, C. J. Gibson and Jacob Rich. 

In 1869, the Minonk Bank was founded by Geo. T. 
Baker, who was later succeeded by Jenkins, Dunn & Co. 
In 1873, the Danforth Bank opened, and bought out Jen- 
kins, Dunn & Co., in 1895. The institution is operated by C. 
R. Danforth & Co, and has been very successful. It is cap- 
italized at $50,000. 

Another bank was opened there about 1903, thru the in- 
strumentality of L. A. Buchner and others, but it continued 
in business but a few months. 

In 1909, an institution was organized known as the Mi- 
nonk National Bank, with a capital stock of $50,000, and 
opened for business in January following. John F. Shepard 
is cashier of the new institution. The circulation at present 
is $12,500. 

Altho Benson is one of the smaller towns of the county 
its banks are very important institutions. The deposits at 
the present time are about $400,000. 

The Benson Bank was opened in 1880, by B. F. Zinser, 
who operated it for a number of years. In 1900, the name 
was changed to the First State Bank of Benson. It has a 
capital stock of $25,000 and a surplus of $20,000. The of- 



INDUSTRIAL. 161 

ficers are as follows : President, S. L. Peterson ; vice-presi- 
dent, Joseph Pickard; cashier, P. N. Tallyn; assistant cash- 
ier, F. C. Tucker. 

A second bank was organized in 1904, by A. II. Bru- 
baker & Co., known as the Farmers' Bank. It is capitalized 
at $25,000, and has been liberally patronized since its organ- 
ization. It is conducted by the following officers : President, 
A. PI. Brubaker ; cashier, M. C. Bru])aker ; assistant cashier, 
K. C. Ficken. 

The banking interests have grown to be quite exten- 
sive in Washburn. In 1869, Frank N. Ireland organized a 
bank, that has been in operation since that time. Mr. Ire- 
land came to Woodford county in 1855 and has been one of 
the leading men of the county since that time. 

In June, 1908, the People's Bank of Washburn was 
organized with the following officers : President, Wm. Gr. 
West ; vice-president, J. F. Shepard ; cashier, L. F. Shepard. 
It is capitalized at $50,000. 

The banking interests of Metamora have been of more 
recent development than other features of its history. In the 
days prior to the organization of the Schertz institution, 
Isaac Wykoff founded a bank in connection with his drug 
business. In 1873, the Metamora Bank was established by 
James F. Earl, and in a couple of years it passed into the 
hands of John AV. and Adino Page. In 1885, Peter and 
David Schertz assumed charge of it, and continued in con- 
trol for a number of years. In September, 1902, Heiple and 
Kingsbury purchased the bank and continued to control it 
from that time, until December 15th, 1908, when it was 
purchased by Snyder Brothers. 

The first banking interests in Secor were in the hands of 
Henry Dierking. January 1st, 1902, the First National 
Bank of Secor was organized. The following are the offi- 
cers : President, F. B. Stitt ; vice-president, C. W. Frey ; 
cashier, E. J. Harseim; directors, J. Gilmore, Robert Hitch, 
John VanScyoc and George Burster. It is capitalized at 



162 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

$25,000, and has $4,500 surplus. 

The banking interests of Roanoke have grown to be of 
great importance. The early banking was in the hands of 
Herbst, Altofer and Sander, but in 1895 the Farmers' Bank 
was organized. It has prospered and is now controlled by 
the following officers ; President, II. D. Harms ; cashier, L. 
W. Harms ; assistant cashier, II. D. Ilollenback. 

Low Point has a bank conducted by Banta Bros. & Co., 
and connected with their other extensive business interests. 
It belongs to the Bankers Association. Bachman Bros., at 
Cazenovia also do some banking business. 

These fifteen institutions, thirteen of which have sepa- 
rate banking establishments, represent the banking interests 
of Woodford county. They represent an investment of 
more than half a million in capital stock, while an addi- 
tional one hundred thousand is represented in the surplus 
and undivided profits of the institutions. It is estimated 
from the report of the Bankers' Directory of 1908, that the 
deposits at the present time approach two million dollars. 

THE PRESS. 
No single influence has been more potent in developing 
the county than has the press. It has invariably stood for 
progressive movements, and, with a few exceptions, a high 
moral standard has been maintained. There are now nine 
weekly papers published in the county. The first was es- 
tablished at Metamora in 1854, altho the earlier issues were 
not printed there. The greater number of these are non- 
partisan, but the center of the political arena is the county 
seat, where each of the leading political parties has an ex- 
ponent of its doctrines, the democratic party being repre- 
sented by The Democrat-Journal, while the republican ideas 
are championed by the Woodford County Republican. 

In 1854, the Woodford County Times was established. 
It was published in Peoria by Phattonl)erg and Mann and 
was brought to Metamora for distribution. As the wagon 



INDUSTRIAL. 163 

fastened to a pole and carried as a flag. The paper was later 
published by Calvin MeKenzie and Mark Aiken. The first 
press was of the army style, which consisted of a flat bed 
and a small cylinder, that, when revolved, drew the bed and 
type beneath it, making an impression. No roller was used 
and the ink was merely daubed on the type. The paper, 
which became known as the Woodford Sentinel, changed 
hands several times, passing into the possession of W. B. 
Whiffen in 1860, and was published by him until 1866. In 
that year Power & Ilarl assumed control of it. Later Mr. 
Power sold out and Mr. Ilarl continued its publication. In 
1889, A. L. Hereford began the publication of the Herald. It 
was continued for a short time and John Knoblauch purchas- 
ed both papers and united them. It was later published by 
Miss Henrietta Knoblauch and her sister. .November 10, 
1904, W. Ryan purchased the plant and paper. He has in- 
troduced a number of new features, among them, occasional 
historical sketches, that have been both interesting and 
valuable. 

Washburn has for a number of years had a paper that 
has done much for the town, as will be seen by the follow- 
ing. It has been at various time the property of a, number 
of different owners. 

S. C. Bruce began the publication of the Washburn 
News in 1877, but it was not continued long. In 1879,the 
Washburn Revelie w^as issued by the Sparland Chronicle, 
and at a later date the Woodford County Sentinel published 
a Washburn edition. In 1882 the Washburn Times was 
published by Matthiessen and Snow, and in 1890 the Wash- 
burn Leader was established, under the management of 
Wra. Rowley, later Rowley and Crane. J. H. Schultze and 
George Weinteer in turn owned the paper, and in 1905, it 
passed into the hands of its present owner, R. E. Patterson. 

Eureka has had several newspapers, and various editors 
have from time to time sought to mold the opinions of the 
people. December 10th, 1867, John W. Karr issued the first 



164 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

copy of the Woodford Journal. After several changes in 
ownership this paper passed into the hands of R. N. Rad- 
ford and was operated by Mr. Radford and the firm of Rad- 
ford and Davidson for many years. It is still in the hands 
of the Radford family, being owned by Dr. B. J, Radford 
and published by B. J. Radford, Jr. The name was changed 
to the Eureka Journal and continued as such until the con- 
solidation of that paper with the Woodford County Demo- 
crat, a paper founded by J. D. Clark, and that later passed 
into the hands of J. A. Schaft'er. It was then changed to the 
Democrat-Journal. In 1896, M. T. Ilyer started the Wood- 
ford County Republican. This paper ultimately passed into 
the hands of P. E. Low who still publishes it. Another 
paper that had a brief, tho prosperous career in the city, 
was the Eureka Progress, published by J. P. Slyter. It was 
founded by F. M. Bolt, about 1888, and was owned at one 
time by Kennith Coleson. The plant was finally removed to 
Deer Creek, where it is still published. 

The publications of ^linonk have undergone numerous 
changes. In the early seventies there were two papers. The 
Minonk Journal, published by G. H. Jenkins, and The Mi- 
nonk Index, published by M. A. Cushing. Neither of these 
papers were continued long. In 1874, Irving Carrier began 
the publication of the Minonk Blade. At a later date J. M. 
Fort assumed control of the paper. The name of the publi- 
cation was changed to The Minonk Register after Mr. Fort 
disposed of it, and was again changed by Mr. C. R. Denson, 
the present proprietor, to the Minonk Dispatch. In 1877 a 
second paper was estal)lished by S. C. Bruce who came there 
from Washburn. The new publication was known as the Mi- 
nonk News and has been published under that name since 
its establishment, altho it has l)een owned by various parties. 
It is now owned and published by George Werkheiser. 

The Benson Bee is a weekly publication edited by II. D. 
Lewis. In 1895, B. W. Kinsey began the publication of the 
Benson Post. In a short time he sold his interest to D. Davis, 



INDUSTRIAL. 



165 




166 



HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 




INDUSTRIAL. 167 

who later translerred the paper to Minouk. In 1899, II. D. 
Lewis came to Benson i'roin Eureka and began the publica- 
tion o! tlie Bee, Avliich he has continued to this time. 

The first newspaper published in ElPaso was The Ga- 
zette, a little 10x14 four page publication, founded by Rob- 
ert Couch. The present owner of the Journal, Mr. George 
W. Curtiss has a copy of the first issue of that paper. Its 
publication was begun Febuary 1st, 1863. In April, 1865, 
the ElPaso Journal was launched. The question as to who 
established it is in dispute. The anniversary edition of the 
Journal, published February 6th, 1909, names John S. Harp- 
er as its founder. The History of '78 names John S. 
Harper and D. B. Fisk as its founders. Be that as it may the 
issue of November 8, 1865, bears the name J. AV. Wolfe. 
The first few years of its existence recorded a number of 
changes in ownership. It passed thru many experiences, un- 
til in 1889, it came under the control of G. R. Curtiss and R. 
of the leading papers in Central Illinois. Mr. Curtiss has 
of the leading papers in Central Illinois j\lr. Curtiss has 
recently celebrated the twentieth annirersary of his control 
of the paper. It has been operated under the same name 
longer than any other paper in the county. There have been 
various other publications, but they have been of short dura- 
tion. Among these was the Woodford County Republican 
that was first published there, but w^as later removed to Eu- 
reka by M. T. Ilyer. Another was the Patriot pul)lis]ietl in 
the '60 's by D. B. Fiske. The last publication was the El 
Paso Press published by Beard of Chenoa. 

The Roanoke Call began the nineteenth year of its pub- 
lication in July, of the present year. It was established by 
P. B. Hobbs, who still retains possession of it and it has en- 
joyed a healthy growth. Priar to the founding of the Call 
there had been a paper there known as the Roanoke Era. It 
was established at the time of the county seat contest in 
1883, and when the election failed to remove the county seg,t 
its publication was abandoned, 



168 



HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 




INDUSTRIAL. 169 

MINING. 

Woodford county also belongs to that part of Illinois 
that is underlain by rich deposits of coal, at varying depths, 
in veins of sufficient thickness to make mining a paying in- 
vestment. The first mine sunk was at Minonk, in 1869. It 
was inaugurated by a stock company. The first board of di- 
rectors consisted of Frank Burt, II. R. Kipp, M. L. Newell, J. 
D. AVebber, II. C. Dent, Chas. Whittaker and Samuel Ewers. 
The mine was first sunk 329 feet, at which depth it was found 
that it could not be operated on a paying basis. The com- 
pany was reorganized and the shaft was sunk to the depth of 
about 550 feet. It finally turned its interest over to Minor 
T. Ames, of Chicago, who operated it under the name of the 
Minonk and Chicago Coal and Coke Company, with great 
success for many years. Later a second shaft was sunk. The 
property is now in the possession of Mrs. Ames, but it is 
operated under a lease. For several years before passing 
into the possession of its present owners it was in litigation. 

The second shaft in the county was sunk at Roanoke in 
1881. A company was organized to sink it, in which Isaac 
Snyder, Peter Kennell, and Peter Belsley were the chief in- 
vestors. A shaft was sunk in the east part of town to the 
depth of 480 feet. A vein of fine quality was reached at this 
depth. Two other veins had been reached before but these 
did not give promise of such rich returns, and were passed. 
The mine produces about 500 tons of coal per day and em- 
ploys about three hundred men. In 1899 the property was 
sold to the Roanoke Coal Mining Company, and it is now 
owned and operated by Duggan Bros., under the above name. 

A number of unsuccessful attempts have been made to 

sink mines at difi^erent points. Among these was the Pan- 
ola mine, which was started fortj^ years ago. The workmen 
reached a depth of seventj^-five feet, but were unable to go 
on, altho the prospectings had shown coal in paying qua^A-- 
titles. 



170 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

An attempt was made a number of years ago to sink 
a coal shaft at Eureka. The company was organized in 1881, 
and several thousand dollars were raised for the work. 
Prospectors found a vein of coal at a depth of 205 feet. At 
the depth of 281 feet a thicker vein, and the best vein at the 
depth of 380 feet. The shaft was sunk to the depth of about 
100 feet, when it became impossible to continue the work, 
and the shaft was abandoned. 

An attempt was made a number of years ago to sink a 
shaft at Metamora. It was sunk to the depth of 130 feet and 
abandoned. At a little over fifty feet a seam of coal was 
found a foot thick and at a somewhat greater depth another 
thin vein, and finally a vein of three and half feet. in thick- 
ness was struck, but only a small part of this was market- 
able. 

One of. the most extensive canning factories in Illinois 
is located at Eureka and is owned by Dickinson and Company 
In 1895, a stock company was organized and capitalized at 
$10,000, for the purpose of erecting a canning factory. 
A plant was put up east of town, and it was operated one 
year. The company lost heavily on the first season's pack, 
and the factory was idle until 1898, when R. B. Dickinson & 
Son purchased it and operated it with great success. The 
year following, the firm of Dickinson and Company erected 
their large plant where it now stands. Since the building of 
the original plant, thousands of dollars have been expended 
in improvements. The company cans peas, corn and pump- 
kins, and the season's pack exceeds three and half million 
cans. They raise a large part of their own products, but 
a portion of the corn is raised by farmers under contract. 
They employ 300 people during the busy season, and have 
15 men employed by the year. Their stock is sold all over 
the United States, much of it being shipped to neighboring 
states. California receives a number of cars of their goods 
every year. In the fall of 1909 the company entered into an 
arrangement for a factory at Washington, similar to the 



INDUSTRIAL. 



171 




172 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

original ])lant, and it will be ready for the next season's 
pack. Of the members of the firm, R. J. Dickinson has 
charge of raising the products, while E. B. Dickinson has 
charge of the office work and the factory. The plant repre- 
sents an investment of many thousands of dollars. 
I\IINONK PRODUCE COMPANY. 
Another important enterprise in the county is located at 
Minonk and is known as the IMinonk Produce Company. In 
the spring of 1884 W. F. Priebe and P. J. Simater began 
business, buying and shipping poultry and eggs. They origi- 
nated the idea of shipping poultry in, the summer time, and 
shipped the very first barrel of ice packed poultry ever sent 
out. The business of shipping has increased until ice pack- 
ed poultry is going into the eastern market in lots of 20 to 
25 carloads per day, the chief points being Boston, New 
York, Buffalo, Baltimore, Philadelphia an,d other large 
cities. In 1897 the firm began to branch out and its growth 
has continued until they ship a million pounds of poultry a 
month, and handle 240,000 eases of eggs a year. They also 
handle a million pounds of butter annually. The branch 
houses are located in difl:'erent points of Illinois, Iowa and 
Missouri. The business in IMinonk is managed by F. J.' 
Simater. and represents a large investment. 



CHAPTER XVL 

Towns of the County. 

WOODFORD county has no large center of population 
but it has a number of prosperous villages and small 
cities. These have been the centers in the historic drama 
that has been enacted since 1836, which date marks the 
founding of the first town. They have not, however, been 
universally prosperous ; some have even passed out of exis- 
tence. 

Towns as well as nations rise and fall. Changing con- 
ditions take from them their promise of groM'tli ; they reach 
their zenith of greatness and decay. History records the 
names of many cities that once gave promise of greatness, 
but are now known only as its pages record them. Even in 
the brief period covered by the annals of Woodford county, 
towns have been founded, prospered for a time, decayed 
and have become a matter of history. 

The present division will record in its due course the 
rise and fall of at least three of these erstwhile promising 
towns. 

The year of 1836 was important in the history of the 
development of the county. In that year the first postoffice 
was established at Black Partridge. It also witnessed the 
platting of four towns. Bowling Green, March 7th, 1836 ; 
Spring Bay, April 2nd, 1836; Versailles, June 3rd, 1836; 
Metamora, June 7th, 1836. 

Bowling Green. 

Bowling Green, in the southwestern part of Palestine 
(173) 



174 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

toAvnship, was laid out March 7th, 1886, by Elbert Dickason, 
surveyor, for Francis M. Willis. The name has been cor- 
rupted in common practice from Boiling Green to its present 
form, Bowling Green. October 21, 1837, an addition was 
made to the town by Aaron Richardson. The name of Ver- 
sailles is connected in the minds of pioneers, with county seat 
hopes and disappointments while that of Bowling Green is 
coupled with the idea of business push and enterprise. 

Among the first settlers in Panther Grove were Charles, 
Josiah and Campbell Moore, who came in 1830. They set 
about constructing a mill, and soon had it ready for busi- 
ness This was before the establishment of the town, and 
was the first water mill of which we have any record. In 
1831 James and Aaron Richardson came to the viciuity and 
soon became the leading figures in the growth of the town. 
They came from New Albany, Indiana, and as was usually 
the case had little capital to start with. James M. Richard- 
son had a horse, a one horse wagon, and thirty-seven cents 
in money when he came to Woodford county, yet within a 
few years he was one of the leading business men, not only 
in Bowling Green, but in the whole county. 

In 1837 James M. and Aaron Richardson opened the 
first store, and for a number of years did an extensive busi- 
ness. This was the first store in the eastern part of the 
county. As in the case of Versailles, Bowling Green at that 
time belonged to McLean county, and any official business 
had to be transacted at the county seat in Bloomington. A 
little later James Robeson opened a store there and enjoyed 
quite a trade. The mill erected by the Moores was sold to 
Francis Willis, and about 1839 James and Aaron Richardson 
erected a second mill, one-half mile southeast of town. It 
was built on an extensive plan for those days and was known 
far and wide as the Bowling Green mill. A dam was con- 
structed across the stream, and ample power was furnished 
for its operation. Many of the older settlers remember tak- 
ing wheat or corn to this mill for grinding. A fixed toll was 
charged for such service and it was frequently paid in grain, 



TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. 175 

as money in those days was a scarce article. The volume of 
business transacted here was surprisingly large. Bowling 
Green was the only town except Versailles in the east side of 
the county, and the trade was drawn for many miles. CoL 
B. D. Meek is authority for the statement that the annual 
business of Bowling Green was at one time eciual to that of 
Eureka at the pr«^sent day. 

It was on the stage 
line between Peoria 
and Bloomington, and 
was the first stop east 
of Versailles. A post- 
office was established 
at an early date and 
was located in the 
store of Richardson 
Brothers. On the 
organization of the 
county in 1841, Jo- 
seph Moore, from th- 
vicinity of Bowling 
Green was chosen as 
one o f the three 
county commissioners. 
That office at the time 
was one of great im 
J. M. RICHARDSON. portance as practical- 

ly all tlie affairs of the county were in the hands of the com- 
missioners. In the division of the county into voting pre- 
cincts, one was designated Bowling Green precinct. In 1844 
James Richardson was chosen county commissioner and held 
that responsible position six years. He was the father of 
W. R. Richardson, who resided in or near Secor for so many 
years. Aaron Richardson was the father of Dr. Frank 
Richardson, the noted Christian minister of Kansas City, Mo. 
The establishment of towns, more favorably located 
than Bowling Green, led to its decay and the final abandon- 
ment of the place, yet it played an important part in the. 




176 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

business and political life of the county at an early day, and 
its citizens are worthy an important place in the annals of 
Woodford county. 

Spring Bay. 

Within a few days of the establishment of Bowling 
Green, another town was laid out on the river in the western 
part of the county. The newly founded village was located 
so as to enjoy the river traffic. It was in what was at that 
time known as Tazewell county, and it was quite natural 
that the town should first be known as Tazewell. Later the 
name was changed to Spring Bay, because of the number of 
springs found in that region. The town was platted for 
James Day and Henry Matson, the plat bearing the date of 
April 2nd, 1836. The first store was conducted by a man 
named Rice. In 1843 Ira Y. Munn came to the village and 
opened a store which was conducted for several years under 
the firm name of Scott & j\Iunn. In 1844 a postoffice was es- 
tablished at Spring Bay with C. S. Shults as the first post- 
master. Mail was then brought across the river from Peoria. 
Later mail was carried from Kappa, a number of towns be- 
ing visited on the trip. In 1850 the first hotel was opened 
by David Couch, and in 1862, Joseph Ililenbrand built a saw 
mill that was later changed to a grist mill by William Burt. 

One of the most extensive enterprises was the brewery 
owned by Peter Eichhoru. This was quite an extensive plant 
for that time and employed a number of men. The invest- 
ment in the enterprise has been estimated at $25,000, 

In 1849 a contract was entered into by the county with 
C. A. Genoways for the construction of a levee. This was- 
later changed thru an agreement with Mr. Munn, so as to 
greatly enlarge the original plan of the work. It was ul- 
dmately completed at the cost of about $4,000, the work be- 
mg done by William Delph. 

In 1849 the town of Spring Bay was incorporated, be- 
ing the second town in the county to take this step. It has 
always maintained its organization. The officers at the 



TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. 177 

present time are : President, John B. Ahrens ; trustees, John 
Winkler, Jr., Rudolph Glauser, Orion Smith ; clerk, Joseph 
llodge ; treasurer, Ernest Fredrick. 

Perhaps the name that is more widely known than any- 
other of the residents of Spring Bay is that of Zeller. Dr 
J. G. Zeller came to Woodford county in 1855. lie prac- 
ticed medicine for many years in the western part of the 
county. A son, Dr. George Zoller, has won a world wide 
reputation as superintendent of the General Hospital for the 
insane at Bartonville. His theory has been that shackles 
and bars are unnecessary in the care of the insane. He has 
a collection of hundreds of these that have been thrown 
aside by patients under his care. Another son, Julius C. 
Zeller, has recently been elected president of the University 
of Puget Sound. 

Captain Zeller, whose death occurred a few years ago, 
was deeply interested in the collection of Indian relics, and 
at the time of his death had a fine collection, that had been 
gathered by patient efforts, extending thru a number of 
years. 

Versailles. 

Among the famous towns of the former days was Ver- 
sailles, mentioned prominently in preceding chapters. June 
3rd, 1836, the village was platted for M. R. Bullock and 
John P. Beaty, on the S. E. i/4. Section 20, and S. W. i/4. 
Section 21, Township 26, Range 1 West of the Third Princi- 
pal Meridian. The plat was filed for record in the office of 
the Recorder of McLean county, as Versailles was at that 
time a part of that county. The boundary streets were 
named North, South, East and West, while the intermediate 
streets were named Peoria, Chestnut, Bloomington, State, 
Walnut and Locust. 

In 1838, Durritt and Calloway opened the first store. 
This was followed by other stores until in 1841 quite a pros- 
perous community had been established. The town was 
progressive and its people were energetic. The movement 



1,78 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

for the creation of a new county originated with the lead- 
ing citizens of that vicinity. They saw in the plan an op- 
portunity to make Versailles the seat of justice and a city of 
consequent importance. The news that a new county had 
been created, with Versailles named as its county seat for 
two years, caused great rejoicing in the town. From 1841 
until 1843 the town was at the height of its prosperity. A 
stage line ran thru the village from Bloomington to Peoria. 
This brought attorneys and other visitors to the sessions 
of the court. A postoffice was established and the first post- 
master was named King. He was succeeded by Ben Kelley. 
In 1843 the commissioners voted to locate the county seat 
at Hanover, and the hopes of the people of Versailles were 
blasted. The town never recovered from the effects of this 
disappointment. After the news of the decision of the com- 
missioners was received, the people began to leave town and 
it soon lost its prestige. There were, however, evidences of 
its greatness for many years after the removal of the county 
seat. South of Versailles a saM^ mill was erected by John, 
Marion and Thomas Moore. It was later sold to Blaksley 
and Co., who owned a foundry at Metamora. The last store 
was owned by Ben Kelly, who was in business there for 
many years. This store, with a blacksmith shop, school and 
church, remained as relics of blasted hopes. 

There were two churches at Versailles, the first estab- 
lished being the Church of Christ, the second the Methodist. 
The former was organized by James Robeson, W. C. Poynter 
and Amos Watkins, and for some time the school house was 
used as a place of worship. Later they erected a neat 
church, which served as a place of worship for many years. 
When the members of the congregation had become scattered 
and it was no longer possible to have services, the building 
was given to the Palestine church, and it was moved into 
that township. The M. E. church was erected at a much 
later date, Garland and David Moore taking a prominent 
part in its organization. A building was erected and service^ 



TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. 179 

were held for a number of years, but the congregation 
finally became scattered, and the church was mov6d into 
Palestine township near Panther Creek. 

There are now but few evidences that the town of Ver- 
sailles ever existed. All the buildings and stores have long 
since been removed or destroyed. Few remain who remem- 
ber Versailles in its prosperous days, and these are aged men 
and women. The town site, however, remains platted as in 
early days, altho it is now farm property. This causes some 
annoyance in making out deeds or in clearing of titles, as 
the lands have been owned by so many different parties. 

Metamora. 

Metamora has for many years played a prominent part 
in the civic life of the county. Her citizens have held promi- 
nent positions and it has been the center of numerous county 
movements. In 1836 the town of Hanover was surveyed. 
The name of the postoffice was Partridge Point, as there was 
another Hanover in the state. About 1845 the name of both 
the village and postoffice were changed to Metamora, the 
name being suggested by Mrs. Peter Willard. 

The first house in the newly estal)lished town was built 
by John W. Page, and in a short time stores were opened. 
The first of these was by Wilson Tucker and the second was 
opened in a short time by Israel & Weeks. Later a store 
was opened that superseded both of the above and was on a 
much more substantial basis than those previously establish- 
ed. Both Mr. Parks and Mr. Willard, who had control of 
a store opened there in 1818, were practical business men 
and enjoyed an extensive trade. The latter bought grain 
and was a member of the firm of Scott & 3Iunn of Spring 
Bay. 

One of the first industries to be opened in that region, 
nside from the usual saw mill, was a foundry, established 
in 1851, by L. C. Blakesley & Co., but it was not operated 
many years, as it was not a paying investment. 

In ]84o the seat of justice was removed from Versail- 



180 



illSTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 







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Bipitl^ 


$ 


■HB 


HBi 



les to Hanover, and in 1845, the court house was erected. 
The removal of the county seat gave a new impetus to the 
growth of the town. 

In 1843 the Metamora 
House was erected, and 
still stands, altho it has 
been altered in appear- 
ance greatly since that 
time. In 1851 the jail was 
erected a-nd served as a 
place for the retention of 
county prisoners for more 
METAMORA HOUSE. than forty years. 

The church history of ]\Ietamora has been fraught with 
many changes and much interest. In 1847 the Episcopalians 
erected the first church. The next was erected shortly after- 
Ward by the Congregationalists. In 1849 the Christian 
church was built. 

The year following the Baptist society was organized 
and in 1854 their church was erected. The Methodist 
structure was built in 1855. These organizations have for 
several years been quite weak and union services have been 
held. A pastor is employed, regardless of his denomina- 
tion. 

The Catholic church was organized in 1863, by Rev. 
Father Derters, of the diocese of Chicago. In the beginning 
services were held in the court house. In 1864 the corner 
stone of their church was laid. The first structure was 
built of brick 50x30 feet. From 1864 to 1866 Redemptx)rist 
Fathers from Chicago visited the church once a month. In 
the latter year the congregation was given in charge of 
secular priests who attended it until 1877. On July 4th, of 
that year the Capuchin Fathers of Cumberland, Indiana, 
assumed charge of the congregation and Rev. Father An- 
thony was the first pastor, Washburn and AVashington being 
mission points. In 1877 the building of a larger church was 



TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. 181 

begun. It was completed in May, 1878, the convent and 
church improvements costing $10,600. The pipe organ cost 
$1,100. In 1885 the spire was completed at the cost of $1,895, 
and a fine chime of bells was installed. In 1878 Father 
Francis Xavier came to the church and remained until 1881, 
when Father Joseph Cal assumed charge of it. Father 
Joseph Anthony came in 1884, and remained until 1888, 
when Father Joseph Cal returned. In 1894 the Franciscan 
Fathers of Cincinnati, accepted the place and Father Ed- 
mund Klein was sent there. He was succeeded by Father 
Leopold Osterman, who was in turn followed by Father 
Eugene Butterman. In 1900 Father Eugene was succeeded 
by Father Otto Zeigler, the pastor at present. The church 
property is valued at more than $25,000. 

St. Mary's Orphanage is the greatest institution of its 
kind in this part of the state. It was established in 1880 as 
near as can be ascertained. The Sisters of St. Francis, of 
St. Francis Hospital, Peoria, first had the work. Later the 
Sisters of St. Francis of St. Joseph's Home for the Aged, 
of Peoria, assumed control and have had charge for twenty 
years. The Bishop of the diocese has oversight of the institu- 
tion. The Home had but fourteen inmates in 1880, now it 
has 72 children. They are cared for by seven sisters, at the 
head of whom is Sister Teresa, sister superior. A magnifi- 
cent addition has recently been completed at the cost of $20- 
000, and the home is now splendidly equipped. They have 
their own. water, gas and steam plants. The home has a 
well arranged school room in connection with it. St. Mary's 
school is the parochial institution of the church. They have a 
separate, well-equipped building and a large enrollment of 
pupils. 

The first school house in ]\Ietamora was built about the 
time of the erection of the court house. It served the purpose 
until 1850, when a new brick structure was erected. Prior 
to the time of the building of these, instruction was given 
in private houses, and for a number of years this was all the 



182 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

schooling received by the children of the pioneers. The 
building of 1850 was destroyed by fire, and in 1873, a new 
brick edifice was erected that has served as a school house 
since that time. Recently the district has been enlarged to 
take in two outlying districts. 

In January, 1859, it was incorporated, and the follow- 
ing officers were chosen : President, Samuel J. Cross ; clerk, 
Edgar Babcock ; trustees, James Whitmire, William Lamson, 
F. F. Briggs, and II. L. S. Haskell ; justice of the peace, 
Elijah Plank. In 3875 it was organized under the general 
law as a village. The following officers were then elected : 
A. H. Kinnear, N. Portman, Garmon Gish, J. B. Knol)lauch, 
¥. F. Ilirsch, and A. E. Nesmith, trustees. 

No town in the county has ever been connected with so 
many men of state and national reputation as Metamora. 
The old court house has been the scene of trials in which 
men, who have since moulded the affairs of the nation, were 
interested as attorneys. The immortal Lincoln was a fami- 
liar figure on the streets of Metamora. Mrs. T. B. Spears, 
whose husband was proprietor of the Metamora House, re- 
members distinctly the visits of Mr. Lincoln to the town. She 
also remembers ]\Ir. Douglas in his visits there. Robert G. 
Ingersoll was another of the early visitors at the sessions of 
court. He was at that time practicing at Peoria. • Adlai 
Stevenson for many years practiced law in the Woodford 
county courts. A host of other prominent figures in the 
political arena were frequent visitors in the county seat. 

In 1894 the election was held that resulted in the re- 
moval of the court house to Eureka. Metamora has not, how- 
ever, sufi^ered greatly from its removal. There is a greater 
spirit of enterprise evident among the business men than be- 
fore, and it has improved greatly during the past few years. 

One of its more recent enterprises is the creamery, own- 
ed by a stock company composed largely of farmers. Since 
its organization it has been a paying investment. Thousands 
of pounds of high grade creamery butter are turned out 



TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. 



183 



every month, and it commands the highest price. Another 
important enterprise was the corn dump factory owned by 
Camp Bros. The firm recently moved its headquarters 
lo AYashington. 



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l-H 
< 

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Q 

W 
rji 

a 
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The old court house is now the property of the village, 
and it is used as a place of public meeting. Altho it is no 
longer the scene of important action as heretofore, it is 
still a center of historic interest. The long series of years 
of service has made it an important place because of the 
memory of what it has been The village is at present con- 
trolled by the following officers: President, Frank Giehlj 



184 



HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 



trustees, Joseph W. Meek, J. C. Snyder, Joseph Gulder, 
Joseph Getz, John, Schrepfer, Henry Lanzenberger ; clerk, J. 
W. Frantz ; police magistrate, A. J. Martin ; treasurer, Ed. 
AV. Knoblauch. 

The village has a well equipped telephone exchange. It 
has a large patronage both in town and in the surrounding 
country. 

No history of Metamora would be complete without a 
reference to John L. McGuire, who for many years has been 
its leading citizen. He was born in Ireland, in 1844, and 
came to America when 9 years of age. In 1858 he settled in 
Metamora and has continued to claim that as his residence 

since that time. In 1862 
he enlisted in the 51st Illi- 
nois Infantry and served 
iiDtil the close of the war. 
In 1870, he married Miss 
Delia Page, whose death 
occurred a few years ago. 
He has l)een pronnnently 
connected with the politi- 
cal affairs of the county, 
and represented this dis- 
trict in the legislature 
two terms, being elected 
J. C. IRVING. in 1894 and 1896. 

J. C. Irving is another prominent character in Meta- 
mora. His father, David Irving, was born in Somerset 
county, New Jersey. In 1844 he moved to Woodford county 
and was awarded the contract for building the court house 
at that place. J. C. Irving was born in Metamora in 1850, 
He was a student in Eureka College and after leaving school 
was connected with the Sentinel for some time. He served 
eight years as deputy circuit clerk and in 1888 was elected 
to that responsible office. He has held numerous positions 
of trust in the city of which he is a resident. 




CHAPTER XVII. 

Slabtown and Farniville. 

THE name Slabtown is familiar to almost every boy or 
girl in the county, yet few of them know that it was 
once a busy village with bright prospects of future great- 
ness. It was located on the banks of the Mackinaw river in 
Montgomery township, near the present site of Mackinaw 
Dells. In ] 835 a saw mill was built by Joseph Gingerich and 
Peter Farni. It was not until fifteen years afterwards that a 
store was opened by Isaac Evans. He kept a stock of gro- 
ceries and general merchandise. It was from a little store 
building that the town derived its name. The owner, Isaac 
Evans, had built his structure of slabs from the mill, hence 
the name. This store changed hands frequently, passing 
first into the hands of Fred Niergarth. Finally after numer- 
ous changes it became the property of Minor Bros. This 
firm owned a well equipped grist mill on the banks of the 
Mackinaw river and did a thriving business. The mill was 
equipped with three buhrs. The firm was composed of three 
brothers, John, James and William. The former afterward 
went to Peoria and became deputy sheriff of that county. 
Joseph Klopfenstein opened a butcher shop there in 
1858 and also had a grocery in connection with it. He came 
to Eureka twice a week, and supplied that vicinity with 
meat. It appears strange to the reader of the present day 
that Eureka should have at one time depended on the meat 
market of Slabtown for its meat. He was frequently able to 
supply his customers with venison that Samuel Finley had 
secured for him. Mr. Klopfenstein made this trip for two 
years. 

(185) 



186 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY 

Carlson and Siebens conducted a brewery, and were also 
at one time owners of the general store there. The chief 
industry of the place, however, was a large distillery owned 
and operated by two Frenchmen from St. Louis named 
Boutcham and Cari. The plant "Cost about $30,000, and when 
in full operation employed about 50 men. The distillery 
was erected in 1847. After the railroad was completed thru 
Eureka, they sent most of their products to Eureka or Cru- 
ger for shipment by rail. R. N. Radford, wlio was connected 
with the postoffice at Eureka, at the time the firm was doing 
business at Slabtown, states that he collected as much as five 
dollars a week postage from this firm on mail received by 
them. The owners of the plant lacked capital for the con- 
ducting of such extensive business, and did not meet with 
success. In 1859 the distillery was destroyed by fire and 
never rebuilt. Christian Parni, a wealthy farmer who had 
unbounded confidence in the members of the firm, lost heavi- 
ly as a result of their failure. He had sold the entire pro- 
ducts of his farm to the firm and was also security for them. 
His loss amounted to $34,000. His brother, Peter Parni, also 
lost heavily, but not nearly so much as Christian. There 
were others who suffered losses, but these were the princi- 
pal parties. The distillery had been well equipped, having 
in connection with it a grist mill for grinding their own 
grain. 

Slabtown enjoyed a flourishing trade, and seemed des- 
tined to make a town of considerable size, but railroads pas- 
sing thru other parts of the county, opening them to direct 
connections with the outside world by rail, sounded the 
death knell to every hope of the little village. 

Across the river from Slabtown was Farniville, named 
in honor of Mr. Farni, on whose land it was located. The 
name has since become Fannyville, thru common use. There 
was for many years a store there, conducted by Adolph 
Ilabeck. After closing his store he went to Roanoke, where 



TOWNS OI' TIIU COUNTY. 18? 

his death occurred several years ago. Jacob Hoger also coa- 
ducted a boarding house there. No sign of their former 
business activities is to be seen at either Slabtown or Farni- 
ville. The former population has been scattered and many 
of its older citizens have passed to their reward. At the lat- 
ter point there still stands an Amish church, built in 187-1, 
which has served as a place of worship since tliat time. 
There was at one time a postoffice at Farniville, but it only 
continued a short time. 

John Finley, now a resident of Eureka, tells an interest- 
ing story in connection with Slabtowu, that will throw some 
light on conditions at that time, lie and Mrs. Finley had 
taken a lot of eggs to Fureka, but there was no market for 
them and they had to carry them back home again. The 
next day she took them to Hlabtown and there received three 
cents a dozen for them, and took in exchange cotton at five 
cents a pound. Within three weeks from that time cotton 
was worth eighty-tive cents a pound, due to the increase in 
price caused by the war lq the south. 

Washburn. 

Before the construction of the Chicago and Alton rail- 
road, steps had been taken for the establishment of a town 
near the present site of Washburn. The first postoffice was 
across the line in Marshall county, and was about a quarter 
of a mile north of Washburn as it now exists. The first post- 
master was William Maxwell. As will be seen from this 
statement, the early beginnings of the town were in Marsh- 
all county. The village at that time gave little indication 
of becoming the beautiful little city it has since become. The 
first store was opened by Americus Pogue, whose name 
figures also among the first business men of Minonk. This 
store was first opened across the street from the southwest 
corner of the school house lot. 

The town was laid out in 1853 by Hiram Echols and 
was uear the county line. The founder, being anxious to see 



188 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

the newly established town i)r()s[)er, offered to donate a site 
to the first organization that would put up a ehurch. In 
1852 Rev. Freeman had organized a Baptist ehurch, and this 
society took advantage of the olifer made by Mr. Echols and 
received the free site for their building, which was erected 
in 1855- '56, under the leadership of Rev. C. D. Merit, its 
pastor. This church served the purpose of a meeting 
place for this congregation for many years. Owing 
to the removal of many members of the congregation 
services were finally abandoned and the building was 
sold to the German Lutheran church. It is now used 
as a place of meeting by that congregation. 

The first store huilding erected in the town was built 
by Jesse Hammers, whose name we find connected with the 
history of Cazenovia. The first residence was erected by Dr. 
Thomas. The question of a name for the new town caused 
considerable discussion. The name Mantua was suggested 
but it was found that there was already a town in the state 
bearing that name. It bore the name of Hniontown for a 
time, this being considered appropriate as the town was in 
two counties, and the interests of the two were thus united. 
This name was abandoned, however, and that of Washburn 
ultimately adopted. 

Among the men who have long been connected with the 
business interests of the town may be mentioned Fran.k N. 
Ireland, of the Ireland Bank. Christian Haase also entered 
business there in 1868. He was a member of the legislature 
in the 42nd and 45th General Assemblies. Fred Ehringer 
opened a furniture store there in the early days of Wash- 
burn. It is still owned by members of the Ehringer family. 
John Immel came there in 1866 and has been doing black- 
smith work there since then. 

The Ehringer Produce Company does an extensive busi- 
ness. A creamery was started there a few years ago, but 
failed to be a paying investment and was abandoned. In 
1901 a telephone exchange was organized, and it was oper- 



TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. 189 

ated by 0. E. Shepard until li)Oi), when C. A. Fitschen took 
a half interest in the system, and the entire plan of work is 
being reorganized. They have 165 telephones in town and 
125 in the country. Two years ago the Consolidated Elec- 
tric Light and Manufacturing company put in a system of 
electric lights. 

The religious interests are cared for by six churches. 
The Methodist church was organized in 1857 but did not 
have a church building until 1863. This structure was de- 
stroyed by fire and the present modern church was erected 
in 1906. The German Evangelical church was organized in 
1877, and the Christian church was erected in 1867. The 
Presl)yterian church was also one of the early churches of 
the town. The Catholic churcli has been more recently or- 
ganized and ministers to the spiritual needs of about twenty 
families. The Lutherans occupy the building they purchased 
from th(^ l>ai)tist congregation. 

Wash))urn has suffered seriously from fire. In 1887 two 
blocks were destroyed by fire, and December 23, 1904, a 
second fire visited the town destroying a block of store 
buildings. A third fire occurred in 1909 in which the opera 
house, one of the l)est in Central Illinois, was destroyed to- 
gether with several other pieces of valuable property. The 
opera house would seat 700 peoi)b' and tlie loss pi'ol)ably 
exceeded $10,000. 

A city hall has been built and is used by both city and 
township, and is a convenient place for public meetings. One 
of the largest stores in the city is that of A. C. Martini which 
was erected nine years ago. Two of the most extensive con- 
tracting firms in the county are located in Washburn, and do 
work in many surrounding townships. Henry Lesch and 
Fitschen Bros., each einph)y a large force of workmen and 
are widely known. 

The village was organized in Jul.y, 1873, and the first 
ofificers were as follows : President, S. W. McCulloch ; clerk, 



190 IIISTOKY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

M. S. Fulton ; treasurer, F. N. Ireland ; street commissioner, 
William Cotton; constable, R. IT. Richards; trustees, Geo. 
C. Butler, F. Bennecke, Samuel Patrick, Henry Sangbush, J. 
G. Harris. 

The Washburn school is located across the line in 
Marshall county, but its attendance is largely made up of 
Woodford county children. The school furnishes an excel- 
lent course of study and has a large attendance. 

Tlie city is governed by the following officers : Presi- 
dent, F. A. Ehringer ; trustees, James Sharp, George Gar- 
rison, George M. Butler, John Mason, Ed. Harper, Henry 
Sang])ush ; ch'rlv, Emil Baumgart ; police magistrate, Rich- 
ard Gill. 

ElPaso. 

The city of Ell'aso, whicli is one oi' the most l)eautiful 
in Woodford county, is located at the junction of the Toledo, 
Peoria and Western and Illinois Central railroads. It is 
justly famed for its business enterprise, as well as for its 
high moral and intcllectiud standards. It is a city of 
churches, and these organizations have given the town the 
high nu)ral standard it jiossesses. 

ElPaso was laid out April 20, IS'A, by James 11. Wath- 
an and George L. Gibson, who were owners of the land. 
Since that time a number of additions have been made to 
the original town. As was the case with so many of the 
towns it was first organized under a special charter. 

The first place of business was opened by William and 
Isaac Jenkins, who were connected with the business life of 
ElPaso for many years. This firm kept a general store and 
also dealt in grain. 

In 1857 the postoffice was established and Mr. Jenkins 
was the first postmaster. 

The town grew quite rapidly after it became the junc- 
tion of the Illinois Central and T. P. & W. railroads. Busi- 



TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. 191 

ncss was drawn from all directiona and it was in a short 
time a town of much importance. Among the early settlers 
we find the names of James II. AVathan, George L. Gibson, 
William R. Willis, Christian Schafer, George II. Campbell, 
Wm, PI. McClellan and Thomas IMcClellan. Early business 
men were Graft & Webster, R. A. McClellan & Co., Alex 
Hawthorne, grain dealers ; S. T. Rogers, druggist ; Crawford 
and Bartlett, furniture and undertaking. 

ElPaso has always souglit to maintain a high intellec- 
tual standard. One of the institutions in which ElPaso takes 
great pride is its library. As early as 1873 an organization 
was formed known as the Ladies' Library Association. The 
first officers were: President, ]\Irs. Dr. Stockwell; secretary, 
Mrs. Delos 'Brian; treasurer, Sirs. W. R. Bingham; librari- 
an, Mrs. S. II. Worthington. At the time the fire occurred in 
1894, there were 2,009 volumes in the library, all of which 
were destroyed. With the insurance money received, 500 
books were purchased, and new quarters were opened. The 
institution prospered, and in 1906 a handsome library build- 
ing was erected in the west park, the funds l)eing donated 
by Andrew Carnagie. It is now controlled by the following 
library board: President, P. B. Stitt; vice-president. Miss 
Nell Patterson ; secretary, J. F. Sturgeon ; treasurer, Peter 
Thometz; librarian, Mrs. J. S. Tucker; J. S. AVelch, F. S. 
Larison, P. G. Haas, Robert Nethercott. Miss Sarah Gough 
and A. B. Turner. 

From its earliest history ElPaso has had excellent edu- 
cational facilities. The first school building was erected in 
1857, but prior to that there had been a school taught at the 
home of E. H. King. In 1859, a new district was formed, the 
Illinois Central being the dividing line, and a two room 
school was built. In 1869 the new three story brick school 
house was erected, and it is still in use. This is now known 
as the McKinley school. The west side was for many years 
furnished with a frame building, but in 1897 the JeffersoA 



192 



HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 



Park school was erected. This is a large, convenient brick 
building' that is a credit to the district. 





M. E. CHURCH, EL PASO, ILLINOIS. 

ElPaso is a city of churches. Eight separate organiza- 
tions have structures in the town, some of them both modern 
and handsome. The first church was established in 1857, by 



TOWNS OF TTIE COUNTY. 



193 



the Presbyterians, under Rev. W. T. Adams. In 1864 the 
church was erected at a cost of $3,200. This served as a place 
of worship until 1903, when the present beautiful structure 
was built. About the time of the organization of this church, 
a ]\Iethodist Episcopal class was formed with Rumsey Sraith- 
e.'sor:, as pastor. Their church was erected in 1864. It was 





BAPTIST CHURCH, EL PASO, ILLINOIS. 

torn down in 1894 and a new Iniilding was erected in its 
place. This was destroyed by fire and rel)uilt in 1895. 

The Baptist chuch was organized in 1858, under the ad- 
ministration of Rev. Wm. Branch. Their church was also 



194 



IllSTOKY OF WOODFOKD COUNTY. 



erected in 1864. This has since served the congregation as 
a place of worship. 

The St. Mary's Catholic church was organized in 1863, 
and their first church was finished in 1865. The present 
handsome edifice was erected in 1898. 

In 1864 the Christian church was organized under the 
leadership of Elder John Lindsey and in 1865 their church 
was l)uilt. In 1863 the German Lutheran church was erect- 
c 1. The En^dish Evangelical church was an offshoot of the 




PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, EL PASO, ILLINOIS. 

German Evangelical society that <mce had a flourishing or- 
ganization there, but that has since gone down. 

The Campbell House which is still a prominent feature 
in the life of ElPaso, was built in 1863. The opera house was 
built in 1895. The upper story is owned by the Masonic 
Fraternity while the lower story is owned by a stock com- 
pany, in which the controlling interest is held by A. E, 



TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. 



195 



Fleming. In ]i)07 a city hall was erected. The corner stone 
ol" which bears the names of the city officers : Mayor, Peter 
Donner ; committee, 0. North, J. S. Welch, W. J. Render, S. 
W. Nevil, W. M. Kridner, E. Shreve ; city clerk, II. J. Tegt- 
myer; treasurer, O. M. Parmelee ; city attorney, Horace 
Baker ; architect, G. II. Miller, contractor, J. A. Reichel. 




One of ElPaso's most attractive places is the greea 
house owned by the El Paso Carnation company, with C. J, 



196 



HISTORY OF WOODFOED COUNTY. 



Snyder, manager. The company has 25,000 spuare feet of 
glass, and it has thousands of plants in cultivation. 

The Catholic cemetery is located north of the city. The 
city cemetery is just east of town. In 1908 a handsome 
mausoleum was erected. It is the only one in the county, 
and has 200 crypts. These are arranged on each side of a 
driveway thru the structure. It is handsomely finished, and 
is made of concrete blocks, so interwoven with steel rods 
as to malce it indestructil)le. 

ElPaso has suffered seriously from fire at different times. 
B?,ch oC the three Ijlocks has had most of its buildings de- 




8^05; 



EAGLE BLOCK, EL PASO, ILL. 
Erected 1871-72; destroyed by fire July 19, 1894. 

stroyed, but these have been replaced by modern structures. 
October 10th, 1882, the south half of Block 43, East Front 
street was destroyed by fire, the blaze starting in the old 
ElPaso House. May 8th, 1889, the Illinois Central coal 
sheds were destroyed, entailing a loss of $20,000. August 
15th, 1898, the west end of Block 41, West Front street suf- 
fered, the loss being $12,500. But the greatest disaster of all 
was the destruction of the center of block 42, on Front 
street in 1894, where the fire raged for three hours, and 
$250,000 worth of property was destroyed. After each of 



TOWNS OP THE COUNTY. 197 

these ElPaso recovered from its losses ami entered into the 
work of rebuilding with greater earnestness. 

ElPaso was incorporated as a city in February, 1867, 
and the following officers were chosen: Mayor, J. II. Moore; 
clerk, John T. Harper; aldermen, AVilliam Neifing, D. B. 
Webster, U. T. Polhemus, George W. Fridley and W. T. 
Adams. The city was incorporated under the general law 
April 6th, 1891. It was then divided into three wards, there 
having been two prior to that time. The following were the 
officers chosen at the election following the re-organization : 
Mayor, AValter S. Gibson, the position being later filled by 
S. M. Ferrell; aldermen, Edwin Hodgson, L. M. Kerr, J. A. 
Smith, R. G. Ilebden, Ozias Johns, Adam Brown; clerk, S. 
K. Ilayward, attorney, Walter Bennett ; treasurer, James 
Thompson ; supervisor, Gustave Anthenat ; marshals, Henry 
J. Morris, George W. Tegard ; police magistrate, J. II. Moore. 

The city is now governed by the following officers: 
Mayor, Peter Donner ; clerk, John W. Becker ; treasurer, 
Peter Thometz ; attorney, C. G. Schroeder; city collector, R. 
W. Gough ; superintendent of streets, James Fitzgerald ; city 
marshal, L. F. Tobias; night police, O. Johns; police magis- 
trate, O. J. Lemon; aldermen, Omer North, Elmer Shreve, J. 
S. Welch, George Stambach, William J. Render, AVilliam 
Tegard. , 

The ElPaso Pair is one of the most important organiza- 
tions in the county. In 1879 the Woodford County Grange 
held a small but successful fair on ]\Ir. Strickland's farm 
just north of the city. In 1880 the Pair Association was in- 
corporated. The officers of the Grange Fair were: j\I. II. 
Wart, president; P. P. AVaite, secretary; P. S. Bassett, vice- 
president ; J. M. Stonbraker, treasurer. Edwin Hodgson was 
chosen the first president of the new organization. The fair 
grounds are just north of the city, and several substantial 
buildings have been erected. The annual fair is largely at- 
tended. The following are officers: President, E. A. Childs; 
treasurer, A. H. Waite ; vice-president, J. L. McOmber ; sec- 



198 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

retary, II. J. Tegtmyer ; directors, W. II. Kingdon, S. C. 
Baringer, Frank E. Lewis, James Wilkey, J. F. Shepard, J. 
A. Gilbert, George II. Scheer, A. E. Fleming, G. R. Curtis, 
John II. Roth, John Pleasants, S. W. Stingeon and F. B. 

Koerner. I! ' 

J I 

In 1882 a system of water works was put in at the cost 
of $5,000. This was greatly improved in 1894. The city also 
has electric lights and during the past three years some pav- 
ing has been done on the main street. 

The city has an extensive telephone system controlled 
by a stock company. The following are officers: President, 
and manager, R. E. Gordon; vice-president, F. B. Stitt; sec- 
retary and treasurer, L. K. Evans; directors, F. B. Seliafer 
and M. A. Adams. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

Minonk. 

THE introduction of railroads within the borders of 
the county was the signal for the inauguration 
of great changes. Regions that before were unsettled 
became the scene of vigorous life and activity. Where be- 
fore there had been a wilderness there sprang up, as if by 
magic, towns that opened to the people the markets of the 
world. Prairies that prior to the construction of the railroads 
had been a vast expanse of virgin soil soon l)ecame the home 
of the sturdy pioneers, bringing under cultivation the lands 
about them, and dotting the landscape with their cabins. 
The region discussed in this chapter was largely settled after 
the introduction of railroads. It consisted principally of 
prairie lands, and was consequently of later settlement than 
the timber regions. 

In 1852 and '53 the Illinois Central railroad was con- 
structed and in 1854 -trains began to run thru Minonk town- 
ship. Prior to this the territory on both sides of the* track 
was unsettled. The settlement of the township and town 
were coincident, Samuel Werk, being the first actual settler. 
He had come from Pennsylvania to Illinois quite early but 
did not come to Minonk until 1854. It will thus be seen that 
the county had existed a number of years before Minonk 
was founded. In spite of this, however, it is the most popu- 
lous city of the county. There is doubt as to the origin of the 
name, altho the general supposition is that the name is of 
Indian origin. 

When the railroad went thru and established a station 
there, Samuel Werk became the first station agent. Charles 

(199) 



200 IIISTOKY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

Dobson and C. W. Goodrich came the same year, 1854, and 
the former soon entered into business. He opened a grocery 
store, and associated with him Americus Pogue, whose name 
occuiiies an important phice as one of the first business men 
of Washburn also. They had a stoclc of the more staple 
articles in groceries. Mr. Dobson was also interested in other 
lines, being associated with Mr. AVerk in the purchase of 
grain for a short time. In December, 1854, a postoffice was 
established, with Charles Dobson as first i)ostmaster. In 
1855 C. W. Goodrich and James Parker entered the lum^ber 
and grain business. The first residence in town was erected 
by Mr. Dobson and the second by Mr. Goodrich. At that 
time the town had two houses and two railroad shanties, 
with about twenty inhabitants, half of whom were railroad 
men. The nearest house was that of James Livingston, seven 
miles west in Clayton, township. The town, however, soon 
began to attract settlers. The thot of a convenient railroad 
thru the village led to the settlement of the country aroimd 
the village. The first farm was opened by Samuel Wiley, 
who came from Vermont. 

A hotel was opened at an early day in the history of the 
town by Jonathan Macey from Indiana. This was frequently 
used by the settlers as a place for holding religious services. 
Among other early settlers were Dr. Isaac Garrison, the first 
physician ; L. G. Keedy, who became prominent as a captain 
in the civil war, and Thornton Taylor, who came from the 
western part of Woodford county. 

D. P. Kenyon, one of the pioneers of Alinonk, was ])orn 
in Rensselaer county, New York, June 25, 1822, and came to 
Illinois in 1855. Two years later he came to Minonk, where 
he still resides. 

The village was surveyed and platted for David A. 
Neal, of Salem, Mass., in October, 1854, the territory em- 
braced extending 780 feet on each side of the Illinois Cen- 
tral and 3,690 feet north and south. As the town grew the 
need of more perfect government was felt and on September 



TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. 201 

17, 1864, it was decided to incorporate as a village. The first 
election of village officers occurred September 30th, the 
board of trustees being composed as follows : Reuben P. 
Bell, A. Cholwell, C. W. Goodrich, Henry C. Dent and M. A. 
Gushing. The board organized October 30th by choosing 
Reuben P. Bell as president and Henry C. Dent as clerk. 
The rapid growth of the village made it advisable to incor- 
porate as a city, and steps were taken toward that end. 
March 7, 1867, the city of IMinonk was incorporated, the fol- 
lowing being the list of the first city officers : ]\Iayor, John 
Stoner ; clerk, M. L. Newell ; aldermen, Samuel AVork, II. R. 
Kipp, John Sparks and Henry C. Dent, one alderman being 
chosen from each of the four wards. September 20th, 1872, 
the city was incorporated under the general law. 

In 1856 the first school was established, the settlers 
being firm in their belief that education is one of the essen- 
tial elements in a well governed community. A temporary 
building west of the Woodford House was used as a school 
house. Francis Reeder was the first teacher. A year later a 
new building was erected at the cost of three hundred dol- 
lars, which served as a school house for several years. In 
1864 a large frame building was built, the first principal be- 
ing John Peck. In 1902 the present splendid structure was 
completed at the cost of more than $30,000. It is the best 
equipped school in the county, having a manual training de- 
partment, well arranged laboratories, and a fine library. 
Thru gifts, one in memory of Donald Austin Stoddard, who 
lost his life in the Iroquois theatre fire, and another thru the 
will of the late Mrs. Louisa M. Parks, the library has been 
greatly enlarged until in 1908 it contained 1,211 volumes. 
The building on the west side is also used for some of the 
lower grades. The first teacher received $79 for four months 
school ; the present salary of the superintendent is $1,350 per 
annum. For several years the schools have been under the 
management of Prof. Wm. Hawkes. 

Side by side with its intellectual development has gone. 



202 HISTORY OF AVOODFORD COUNTY. 

its spiritual growth. The Presbyterian was the first church 
organized in Minonk, the first preaching being done in the 
hotel iij 1856. The following year the First Presbyterian 
church was formed. For a few months the newly formed 
society worshipped in the school house. In 1858 a modest 
little church was erected as a meeting place, which served 
that purpose until 1867, when a larger building was com- 
pleted. The Methodists began to hold services in 1857, and 
soon had a flourishing society. In 1866 they built their 
church, which was superseded by a more modern structure 
in 1900. 

The third church to organize was the Baptist, which was 
formed in 1858. Their meeting for considering articles of 
faith was attended by Rev. Baily, of Metamora ; Rev. Keteh- 
um, of Panola ; Rev. C. D. Merit, of Washburn, and Rev. 
Fuller, of Richland. In 1859 Benj. Hall was elected clerk, 
and was instructed to raise eleven dollars with which to 
purchase a lot for a church building. This serves to indicate 
the value of lots at that time. Their new church was not 
dedicated, however, until October 30fh, 1864. The cost, in- 
cluding the furnishings and organ was $8,691.27. This pro- 
vided a very comfortable meeting place for many years. 
During the war the members of this as well as of other 
churches kept up a correspondence with those from their 
congregation who were in the field. The will of the late Mrs. 
L. M. Parks, who died in December, 1902, left $2,000, as the 
foundation for a fund to erect a new church. The corner 
stone of this new structure was laid in November, 1907, but 
it was not dedicated until 1908. 

No other churches were founded in Minonk until 1865, 
when two were organized, the Catholic and Christian. The 
latter was without a church home until 1867, when a neat, 
convenient building was erected, which with various changes 
has served the purpose of the congregation to the present 
time. The Catholics at once built a structure that served 



TOWNS OF TTIE COUNTY. 



203 



admirably as a place of worship until 1892, when the present 
magnificent structure was erected. The church is one of the 
strongest organizations in the county. It sustains a well 



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equipped parochial school. In 1905 St. Patrick's school was 
erected near St. Patrick's church. This is a large, brick 
structure, well equipped for school work. The cost of the 
building was in the neighborhood of $15,000. 



204 



HISTORY OP WOODFORD COUNTY. 



The Polish inhabitants of the eity have in recent years or- 
yanized a Catholic church, and it is in a flourishing condition^ 

In 1868 a Lutheran church was organized, which had a 
strong society, and the German Evangelical, known as the 
St. Paul church, was organized in the city and still exists. 
In 1870 the German Baptist church was organized. In the 
summer of 1856, A. II. Danforth, assisted by Samuel Work, 
Mr. Reeder and others organized a Sunday school, which 
was hold first in the railroad station and was afterward re- 
moved to the Presbyterian church. Mr. Danforth was the 
lirst superintendent. 

Minonk has three rail- 
roads, the main line of 
the Illinois Central, con- 
structed in 1852- '53, the 
Pekin branch of the 
Santa Pe constructed in 
1875, and the Middle 
division of the Central 
built in 1873. These 
have made it an excel- 
lent commercial point 
and its business men 
have prospered. 

In 1890 the jNIinonk 
Electric Light and Power 
Company was organized 
"""-- ^ .,,^ and a gpod system of 

CITY HALL, MINONK. electric lights was in- 

stalled, under the management of Josiah Kerrick. There is 
also an excellent system of water works in operation. Since 
1904 the streets have been greatly improved by paving, the 
improvements thus far being confined to the business streets. 
The city is controlled by the following officers : ]\Iayor, 
A. B. Kipp ; aldermen, Nick Kruse, II. D. Puller, Stock Inger- 
ski, E. Schroeder, Herman Kelm and C. E. Ridge ; clerk, C. 




TOWNS OP THE COUNTY. 205 

R. Denson ; treasurer, A. J. Ilenning ; attorney, J. A. Riley ; 
fire marshal, W. II. Ryan ; marshal, J. L. Welch ; night 
police, II. II. Green ; superintendent of water works, W. E. 
Minshall ; police magistrate, Harm McChesney. 

In 1904 a substantial city hall was erected, the corner 
stone of which bears the names of the following city officers : 
]\Iayor, II. B. IVIeils; aldermen, W. II. Ryan, F. M. Kerrigan, 
Kruse, Stoneman, Bonk, Davison and Clark. 

Benson. 

There is but one village in Clayton township. In 1872 
the Chicago, Pekin and Southwestern railroad was built thru 
the township, and Benson was founded upon the completion 
of the road. It was located in the midst of a wide territory 
of rich farming land, and it soon became a good grain point. 
The town was named in honor of S. II. Benson, of Streator, 
who was general freight agent at the time of its establish- 
ment. It was located on property owned by John Weast, and 
was surveyed February 20, 1873. A year later an addition 
was laid out known as Weast 's addition to Benson, The 
township had been settled almost twenty years before the 
founding of the town and consequently there were farm 
houses not far from it. The house now owned by Mrs. Mor- 
itz was a farm house located on the site of Benson. The first 
house brought into the town was moved from the country 
by 0. A. Cavan and was used as a hotel. The first house 
erected was built by F. D. Learned, who came from the farm 
to locate in town. Soon stores were put up and the business 
life of Benson began to show evidence of a healthy growth. 

The first store was opened by Jurgens Harms and 
George Kirtchner in 1873. The firm kept a general stock of 
merchandise. Shortly afterward P. D. Learned opened a 
drug store. Strawn and Rannie erected a building on the 
corner of Front and Clayton streets and conducted a general 
store. The first station agent was Lyman Ballou, who was 
succeeded by Dan Davis. In March, 1873, the first mail was 
received in Benson, F. D. Learned having been appointed 



206 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY, 

first postmaster. The offiee was connected with the drug store. 
In 1874 Joseph Benkler opened a harness shop, and the 
same year, Abrahams and Zinser opened a hardware store. 
The first physician was Dr. Slemmons and he was followed 
by Dr. Austman. 

In 1878 the town was 
incorporated, the first 
officers being as fol- 
lows : President, D. 
Davis ; trustees, Charles 
Lauenstein, John Sch- 
midt, Peter Petri, Henry 
Ileineke, John Weast ; 
clerk, 0. L. Tucker; 
treasurer, 0. A. Cavan. 
AVith the exception of 
three years, Theodore 
Schroeder has been on. 
the board ever since the 
organization of the vil- 
lage. 

In 1876 the first brick 
DAN DAVIS. building was erected by 

Jurgen Harms and Henry Ileineke. Soon after this Chark 
IMemmen and Henry Ileineke opened a brick yard and tile 
factory. The next year it was purchased by Simon Peterson, 
who has operated and controlled it since that time. 

In 1902 a telephone exchange was established, a stock 
company being organized with a capital stock of $2,500. The 
officers are as follows : President, Jacob Roth ; secretary, R. 
H. Parks ; treasurer, S. L. Peterson. The exchange has 300 
phoues in operation. 

The religious interests of Benson are well cared for. In 
1873 the Catholic church was started by Rev. Father Marger, 
of Lourds. The land for the building was donated by John 
"Weast. It was dedicated by Rev. Father Steinberg in 1875. 
During the period of the pastorate of Rev. Father Kluck, 




TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. 207 

who was assigned to the church in. 1902, the Father's Resi- 
dence was erected. The church is now under the care of Rev. 
Father Guilbert. 

The Baptist Sunday School was organized in 1874, and 
met in Coleman's hall for several years. In 1882 it was de- 
termined to build a place of worship and in 1883 the present 
church building was dedicated and the church organized 
with 28 members. Tlie parsonage was erected in 1902. Rev. 
E. E. Krause has been pastor for some time, but resigned to 
take effect August 30. In connection with the church, is a 
country appointment at Jefferson school house. Here they 
have Sunday School and afternoon preaching. The early 
settlers of that part of the county organized what was 
known as the Meridian Baptist church, that held services in 
Washington school house in Linn township. This organiza- 
tion was maintained until after the building of the Baptist 
church in IMinonk, when a number of its members united 
with the church there and services were abandoned at the 
Washington school. About eighteen year ago services were 
begun at the Jefferson. 

The M. E. church was organized in 1890 by Rev. Fore- 
man, services being held in the school house the first year. 
In 1891 the present church building was erected. Three years 
later a parsonage was also built near the church. 

The Benson school was first located a mile east of town, 
A few years after the establishment of the town the school 
house was moved, and in 1878 a new frame building was 
erected, containing two rooms. Later a one room addition 
was built. As the town grew the demand for more adequate 
provision became more pressing and in 1905 a modern school 
building w^as erected at the cost of $15,000 for the complete 
structure. The board having charge of the construction of 
the building was S. L. Peterson, H. D. Lewis, and F. W. Lin- 
neman. 

Benson has suffered seriously from fire. In 1884 a con- 
flagration broke out that destroyed the block in which Geo. G, 
Flessner's store is now located. A number qf buildings wer^ 



208 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

destroyed. Only five years later a second fire occurred and 
destroyed the block of buildings where Hoffman & Bent- 
f eld's store is now located. Some of the buildings have 
never been replaced but in most instances new and better 
structures have been erected. 

In 1891 a system of water works was established. A 
committe, composed of Henry Ileineke, Joseph Bucklear and 
A. II. Brubaker, • was appointed to investigate the various 
plans, and as a result the present system was planned and 
completed. 

The village is governed at present by the following of- 
ficers: President, Louis Meischner; trustees, Eno. J. Gom- 
mels, Joseph Vogel, Theodore Schroeder, C, E. Worthing- 
ton, M. C. Brubaker, Harm Geiken ; clerk, J. W. Ileiken ; 
treasurer, R. C. Ficken ; marshal, Wirt Folkers. 

Roanoke. 

Situated in the midst of prairies of unsurpassed fertili- 
ty, stretching for miles in every direction; underlain with 
rich deposits of coal that but needed the hand of man to 
bring them forth that they might pour their wealth into the 
coffers of the people, it is natural that Roanoke should be- 
come a prosperous little city. Forty years ago the present 
site of the town gave little evidence of important achieve- 
ments or of the attainment of business success. Within the 
memory of the older citizens, Roanoke was founded, and 
these have witnessed its growth from a few scattered houses 
to a prosperous town with a thriving business. 

In 1866 A. J. Darling opened a blacksmith shop in what 
is now the western part of town. He has witnessed the 
founding and development of the village. He is now con- 
ducting a hotel, while his sons, Darling Bros., have a black- 
smith and machine shop. The first store was opened by M. 
Pifer, who is now one of the pioneer residents of the county. 
He resides at Eureka and is 93 years of age. He was a pio- 
neer business man of Eureka as well as of Roanoke and was 
identified with the business interests there until increasing 



TOWNS OP THE COUNTY. 209 

age caused his retirement from active life. The store he 
owned was located on the south side of Panther creek. In 
the early 70 's the plans for a new railroad were completed, 
and in 1872 the Chicago, Pekin and Southwestern was built 
thru the town. The citizens of the vicnity contributed $5,000 
toward building the road on condition that a swich would 
be put in at Roanoke. The same year that the railroad was 
built the town was laid out by D. T. Fauber, lien G. Kindig 
and Hiram Barney. The plat was signed December 17, 1872. 
A postofifice was established and F. C. Pifer was appointed 
the first postmaster. He was soon succeeded by J. F. Wheel- 
wright, who received a salary of $12 per quarter. This was 
soon increased to $72 a quarter. The office now pays $1,300 
per year. 

The town at once began to improve. Henry Frantz put 
up the first building erected after the town was laid out and 
John Frantz opened a store. Jacob Engle, son of Peter 
Engle, the pioneer, also opened a store. The first doctor in 
the town was Dr. John, who served several terms as coro- 
ner. Fauber and Hall first bought grain in Roanoke, altho 
they never had an elevator. They also dealt in coal. The 
lumber yard was conducted by Doc Miller, but soon after 
passed into the hands of Phillip Moore, who was one of the 
pioneers in business life in that vicinity. 

In 1874 a movement was set on foot to organize as a 
village. The town at that time had the 800 inhabitants nec- 
essary for its organization. A petition for such election 
was circulated and on July 18, 1874, the people voted to in- 
corporate. John Frantz, M. N. Gish and A. Fisher were 
judges of election, and R. A. Fisher and R. T. Ogle were 
clerks. The first mayor was S. W. Shulenberger and the first 
clerk was G. P. Lyons. 

The town and country surrounding enjoys an excel- 
lent telephone service, operated by the Roanoke Telephone 
Company, and under the efficient management of E. N. 
Wheelwright. The first line that sought admission to the 



210 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

towu was from Secor. A little later one came in from the 
south and west, and entered Wren's grain office. Soon after 
eight lines were carried into N. R. Moore's grain office. 
John Scoon was the first manager and in 1903, E. N. Wheel- 
wright took the management of the exchange. In 1908 a 
stock company was formed, and now has 265 phones in op- 
eration. The office is nicely arranged and well equipped, and 
the wires along the main streets of town are underground. 

In 1899 another important industry was started in Roa- 
noke by George II. AVillems, who in that year opened the 
tile and brick yards in that city. In 1906 he sold his interests 
to the American Clay Product Company, but Mr. Willems still 
manages the plant. The company gives employment to about 
25 men the year around. The manager of this plant, George 
11. Willems, has an interesting life history, having spent 
twelve years on the sea. He has served before the mast and 
also down below. He also made one voyage as second mate. 
He was twice shipwrecked, once being tossed about in the 
life boat for three days and nights, finally coming to land 
on the Fiji islands, where the shipwrecked party was taken 
up. The second time he was wrecked on coast duty and 
swam ashore. , 

Roanoke has suft'ered seriously at various times from fire. 
In 1892 the west block was burned, destroying a number of 
buildings, entailing a loss approaching $20,000. The fire 
started about midnight, and there was no means of fighting 
it save by the use of buckets. In 1902 a second fire occurred 
which destroyed the buildings on the east side of the street. 
Two years afterward A. Rosenak, whose store was destroyed 
in the second fire suft'ered a second loss in the burning of his 
store. In the spring of 1909 a number of frame buildings 
in the city hall block were burned causing a loss of several 
thousand dollars. 

Altho Roanoke has a number of fine artisian wells that 
have stood the test for many years, the town has been slow 
about taking the steps for constructing a system of water 



TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. 



211 



works. The city now has a good well and will doubtless 
soon have a good system in operation. 

Roanoke has been lighted by electricity for a number 
of ycvirs. The plant has been oAvned and operated by E. E. 




Ilusseman until W. J. Whetzel purchased it and furnishes 
light from his poAver house in Eureka. 

The religious interests of the city and township are well 
looked to by a number of churches representing various de- 
nominations. In 1846 the Christian church Avas organized 
in the vicinity of Roanoke. As in so many cases, the early 
services were held in the homes of the members until a suit- 



212 HISTORY OP WOODFORD COUNTY. 

able place of worship could be secured. It was not until 1873 
that their present church was erected. The organization was 
the result of the labor of Elder Abner Peeler. Two years 
later the Methodists began to hold services in the neighbor- 
hood, but their church was not built until 1875. In recent 
years the Catholic church has been erected at Roanoke, and 
has a number of members. 

The schools of Roanoke have been the center of deep 
interest among the better class of people. The school has a 
three year high school course, and is prospering under the 
superintendency of 0. C. Kindig. In 1909 the district was 
enlarged so as to take in two outlying districts, and a mod- 
ern school building is in contemplation. 

Among the names of men who have been prominent in 
the development of the town are C. A. Sander, Henry Al- 
tofer and Theo. Ilerbst. The father of the former. Chris- 
tian Sander, came to Illinois fifty years ago and the name of 
Sander has been highly respected thruout the county. Mr. 
Altofer has been in the county since 1874, and has been con- 
nected with the business interests of Roanoke for many 
years. Mr. Ilerbst has been prominent in the business enter- 
prise of the town and has conducted an extensive establish- 
ment in the village for many years. A Rosenak has exten- 
sive business interests, and has been closely identified with 
the growth of the town. 

The city is at present governed by the following of- 
ficers : President, A. L. Ray ; trustees, J. E. Woltzen, T. E. 
Brown, Samuel Ramsey, Charles Preller, John Gray, E. L. 
Fincham ; clerk, A. J. Naf zinger ; treasurer, Jacob Sand, Jr. ; 
marshal, J. W. Fauber. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Eureka. 

IT is difficult to separate the liistory of Eurelva from tliat 
jf Eureka College, which institution was organized before 
the foundation of the town. At the time of the origin of the 
school there was no postoffice nearer than Washington, and 
mails were tardy in reaching their destination. In 1850 a 
postoffice was established and A. S. Fisher was the first post- 
master. The mails were brought weekly from Metamora, 
until the Illinois Central was completed. The carrier went 
from Kappa to Spring Bay once a week. In 1854 the first 
goods were sold in Eureka in what was known as the "Poor 
House," a portion of the old Christian church devoted to 
the needs of the poor. This church was located near where 
the Soldiers' Monument stands in the cemetery. Thomas 
B. Sterrit sold goods there for a short time, and the next 
year built a store on the site now occupied by A. Boudman. 
Here he carried a general stock of goods that met the simple 
needs of the people of that time. Ilis store was a general 
meeting place for the boys of the neighborhood, who had 
few places to go and little to talk about. The store building 
now forms a part of the Boudman residence. 

Eureka received its name at a meeting held at the home 
of A. S. Fisher, when plans were being made for the estab- 
lishment of a postoffice. John T. Jones and John Lindsey 
each claim the honor of having suggested the name for the 
new town. It is a word of Greek derivation, meaning, "I 
have found it." The word Eureka is said to have originated 
in the following interesting manner. King Iliero, of Syra- 
cuse, had a magnificent golden crown, of great value. He 
had taken it to a worker in gold to have some alteration 

(213) 



214 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COTTNTY. 

made in it, and on its return suspicioned that a part of the 
gold had been taken out and alloy had been substituted, but 
the work had been done so skillfully that it prevented de- 
tection. He called in Archimedes, and demanded that he 
should devise some means of detecting the presence of alloy, 
without in any way disturbing the crown as it was then 
made. After long pondering the philosopher conceived the 
idea of weighing the crown in the air and then weighing 
the water the crown would displace. So elated was he by 
his discovery that he went about shouting Eureka ! Eureka ! 
I have found it ! From that time the word came into use. 

After the completion of the Central railroad thru the 
eastern part of the county, mail was brought from Kappa. 
George Taggart was carrier, and at one time it was 
necessary for R. N. Radford who was acting as depu- 
ty postmaster, to go to Kappa after the mail, the carrier 
claiming that the waters were too high to make the trip. 
There was an accumulation of two weeks' mail. This ir- 
regularity continued until the completion of a railroad thru 
the town. When the T. P. & W. was ])uilt, however, it ex- 
tended thru the region a mile north of the original site of 
the village. 

In 1855 the town of Eureka was platted on its present 
site, the plat being drawn for John Darst, the owner of the 
land on which the new town was located. It was filed for 
record December 29th, 1855, and the early part of the year 
following, the first town lots were sold. The business part of 
the community was at once moved to the vicinity of the new 
railroad. 

R. M. Clark l)uilt the first store on the new site, choos- 
ing as a location the corner of First and College streets, 
where R. D. Smith's brick building now stands. J. J. Jones 
erected a store about the same time. He had previously 
bought out Thomas Sterritt and had been made postmaster. 

The first blacksmith shop was opened by Wilson Hatha- 
way in 1854. The first hotel was erected by A. M. Myers on 



TOWNS OP THE COUNTY. 215 

the northeast corner of First and College streets. There 
had been boarding houses connected with the college previ- 
ous to this, but no hotel. In 1851 a boarding hall had been 
erected that would accommodate fifty students. This later 
became a ladies' boarding hall and was ultimately destroy- 
ed by fire. 

In 1856 II. C. Baird came to Eureka and entered busi- 
ness. A. V. S. Baird also came from the same state and be- 
came a resident of the new town. Mr. Baird is still in busi- 
ness and is the only one of the original business men of Eu- 
reka, who is still in active business. Another of the pioneers 
of the town, who still has a place of business there, is Ben 
L. Moore, the photographer, who has been conducting a 
gallery in Eureka forty-seven years, and is the oldest pho- 
tographer now in business in the county. 

One of the early enterprises of Eureka was a packing 
house, first located in the north part of town, on what is 
known as the Risser property, and under the management 
of Alex. Campl)eU. Later it was moved to a site near the 
Streator junction. There it was conducted by Thompson 
and Roei)uek. The firm employed about thirty men and 
packed a large amount of pork daily. The plant was de- 
stroyed by fire. 

In 1882 Gudeman Brothers purchased property in the 
north part of town from Ben L. Moore, and erected a saw 
mill. In a short time a large brick and tile factory was open- 
ed. The firm manufactured a high grade of pressed brick 
and enjoyed a large trade, l)ut a combination of circum- 
stances made the business unprofitable. The Eureka Brick 
Tile & Electric company was organized to get the concern 
on a paying basis, but the plant was finally closed. 

The first system of water works was located on land 
donated by this firm to the city of Eureka. All the pumping 
was done by the firm, and the first electric light plant was 
installed by the same firm. On the closing of the plant of 
this company, C. C. IMcDonald b(Hight the electric light plant, 



216 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

and conducted it until 1905. In that year W. J. Whetzel 
installed his new plant and now furnishes lights for Eureka, 
Roanoke and Metamora. 

In 1905 a new system of water works was constructed, 
the pressure used being supplied by compressed air. Since 
its construction it has been extended as far south as the col- 
lege 

The town grew from the time of its foundation, so that 
in 1859 it was incorporated. The first officers were as fol- 
laws: Trustees, C. L. Wellman, J. R. Burton, R. M. Clark, 
Samuel Stitt and A. S. Fisher. Of these R. M. Clark was 
chosen president of the board and A. S. Fisher clerk. A. M. 
Myers was fleeted police magistrate. August 30th, 1880, the 
original charter was surrendered and it was incorporated as 
a village under the general law. At a meeting of the board 
of trustees March 4th, 1894, a petition was granted submit- 
ting the matter of incorporation as a city to a vote of the 
people. The result indicated 232 in favor of such in- 
corporation and 152 opposed to it. The following were 
the first city officers : Mayor, B. J. Radford ; clerk, Roy L. 
]\Ioore ; treasurer, Lyon Karr ; aldermen, F. M. Hoyt, R. T. 
Payne, G. ^Y. Lewis, C. II. Radford, W. W. Pratz and Frank 
Englis. 

In 1909 the first paving was done. College street being 
paved from the railroad to the cemetery. The work will be 
carried on as rapidly as possible until the principal streets 
are paved. 

The religious intere.sts of the people are cared for by 
four churches. In 1832 the Christian church Avas org^inized 
with thirteen members at the home of Elder John Oatman. 
It was re-organized in 1836, and in 1847 they built their 
church which stood about where the soldiers' monument 
stands in the city cemetery. In 1863 a new church was erect- 
ed on the site of the present structure. This served the pur- 
pose of a church until 1902, when the beautiful biiilding now 
in use was erected at the cost of almost $20,000. 




L. C. GISH, County Treasurer. 



TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. 217 

In 1858 the M. E. church was organized by Zedock Hall, 
and in 1862 the church was erected. This served the purpose 
admirably until 1886 when the present building was erected. 
The Presbyterian church was organized in 1868, with Rev. 
Hart as its pastor, and in 1875 the present church was built. 

The second church to organize in the vicinity of Wal- 
nut Grove was the Christian at Mt. Zion. Services are still 
held there and the organization is now more than half a 
century old. \ i 

Since the removal of the county seat to Eureka, it has 
enjoyed a slow but steady improvement. Better houses have 
been built, the town has put in more and better walks; and 
there has been a general tendency upward. 

Cruger. 

The town of Cruger was platted May 15, 1856, by Benoni 
P. Pratt. It was named in honor of W. II. Cruger, who was 
vice-president and chief engineer of the railroad now known 
as the T. P. & W. The road was completed as far as Cruger 
in 1854, and the next year continued farther east. It was 
then that the first thots of a town were indulged in. The first 
warehouse was built by Mr. Kellogg and later Mr. King also 
erected one. The first store was opened by B. P. Pratt, who 
came from Peoria. A postoffice was established with Wil- 
liam Flager, the station agent, as postmaster. This postoffice 
was continued u-ntil August, 1909, when Cruger was attached 
to Eureka, as part of one of the rural routes. F. J. Schrei- 
ber, whose death occurred a few years ago, was for more 
than forty years postmaster of Cruger. He was at that time 
the oldest acting postmaster in the United States in point of 
years of service. The height of its business prosperity was 
reached when two general stores were in operation. 

Secor. 

The village of Secor was platted for Octave Chanut, 
June 10th, 1857. The new toAvn was on each side of the rail-, 
road, and soon began to attract settlers. It was named for 
Zeno Secor, one of the directors of the recently completed 



218 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

railroad. The streets were named for men, such as Van 
Alstine, Plereford, Nichols and Cruger streets. 

The first store was conducted by E. T. VanAlstine, 
father of John VanAlstine, and grandfather to Frank A. 
and L. H. VanAlstine, widely known thruout the county as 
having been circuit clerks. Jacob Lahr and Henry Smith 
had blacksmith shops. Another early blacksmith was Chris- 
tian Mahlsteh who came to Secor from Cruger. F. X. Hau- 
sler opened a furniture store. A postoffice was established 
and Mr. VanAlstine was the first postmaster. Charles R. 
Richardson was another of the early merchants, and Deacon 
Trosber was the first to conduct a boarding house. Dr. P. L. 
Tribbey came to Secor in 1857, John Tribbey, his brother, 
came the same year, while D. AV. Tribbey came in 1859 and 
S. A. Tribbey a year later. The first named served two terms 
as coroner of the county. Rudolph Harseim came there in 
1862 and opened a general store. This was later owned by 
his son, B. J. Harseim, and has now passed into the hands 
of his younger son, Adolph R. Harseim. In 1866 H. Ludwig 
engaged in business there and is still conducting a hard- 
ware store. One of the most extensive investments made in 
the town was the great hotel erected by Isaac Underbill. It 
was a two-story brick structure, with four large store 
rooms on the first fioor. The second story was used for a ho- 
tel and sanitarium. Mr. Underbill owned a large amount of 
land around Secor, and had extensive plans for the future 
of the town, but the plans failed. The hotel was closed and 
its owner sufi^ered heavy losses. It was finally destroyed by 
fire. The original cost was $48,000. 

John Seibel was an early comer in Secor, arriving there 
in September, 1869, and lived there three years. The family 
then moved to a farm three miles southwest of Benson. His 
son, William C, and daughter, Catherine, reside in Secor, 
while Henry lives near town. 

There are four churches in Secor. In 1862 the Church 
of Christ was erected and still serves as a place of worship. 



TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. 



219 



Twelve years ago a part of this organization withdrew and 
built a new church of Christ. The M. E. church was built in 
1865- '66. It was originally for both English and German 
services, but of late years the services in German have been 
abandoned. The Lutheran church was established in 1864- 
'65 and it has one of the largest congregations in that vi- 
cinity. 

The first telephone exchange was organized in 1899, 
with W. B. Graybill as manager. The company has 225 tele- 
phones now in operation. A separate exchange has now been 
installed. 

In 1906 a large modern school building was erected at 
the cost of over $10,000. It has four school rooms, aside 
from the library and superintendent's office. The school is 
now u'uder the management of Prof. William C. Stauter. 
The present structure devoted to education is the result of 
many years' progress. The first school was established in Se- 




SECOR SCHOOL. 



cor in 1857 ; but in 1860 it was found necessary to erect a 
larger building. This was improved and enlarged, but final- 
ly gave way to the larger, more modern brick structure now 
in use. 



220 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

The records of the secretary of state show that Secor 
was incorporated as a town under a special act of the legis- 
lature, February 28th, 1867. It was later incorporated as a 
village, but no report of such action was ever made to the 
secretary of state. It became necessary to resubmit the mat- 
ter to a vote of the people, which was done in 1902, and it 
became incorporated under the general law. The following 
were the first town officers: President, R. L. Sidwell; clerk, 
D. C. Smith ; trustees, David Gephart, Henry Dierking, 
George Thode and Jolm Noifsinger. 

The village at present has the following corps of officers : 
President, George Goebel ; clerk, J. T. Warner ; trustees, Ira 
Powell, John Frey, Wm. Dehority, AVilliam Seibel, L. R. 
Deiner and Wm. Mahlsteh ; treasurer, II. Reed ; police magis- 
trate, L. G. AA^ilson ; marshal, Charles Zimmers. 

Secor, like many of the other towns of the county, has 
suffered greatly on several occasions^ from fire. In 1874 the 
Grand Hotel was destroyed entailing a loss of forty thous- 
and dollars on its owners and there was but little insurance 
to cover it. After this a few years, a second fire occurred 
that destroyed the block facing the railroad. In this fire II. 
Ludwig lost his home and his family had a narrow escape. 
The loss was quite heavy. December 28, 1905, the east half of 
the main business block was burned. The fire broke out in 
the middle of the night and could not be checked until the 
street was reached. These buildings have been replaced by a 
number of better buildings than before occupied that site. 
H. Ludwig, who suffered from this fire also has rebuilt. The 
Secor hotel is another of these buildings. 

Zeiger and Ludwig assumed control of their general 
store in 1907, having succeeded Flessner and Zeiger who 
bad been in business about eleven years. Goebel a-ad Gassner 
have a stock of general merchandise, occupying the stand 
so long occupied by E. F. Dierking. As before noticed, 
Adolph Harseim has a large general store. H. I. Brown and C. 
W. Frey have extensive hardware and implement stores, and 



' TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. 221 

Charles de Long conducts the lumber yard and does' con- 
tracting. ' ' ■ 

Panola. 

Panola was one of the villages along the Illinois Central 
road, and it at one time seemed likely to become a town of 
considerable importance. As the county became more thick- 
ly settled and other railroads were built, it began to lose its 
hopes of a great future, and settled down to the quiet life 
it has since enjoyed. The railroad was built in sections, and 
reached Panola before it was constructed thru Min,onk, 
Timothy O 'Council, who aided in building the Central road, 
still lives there. Altho 82 years of age, his memory is still 
filled with stories of the early history of his township, lie 
remembers having planted the park around the station 
many years ago. He was one of the first men to work on the 
Central at Cairo. On the completion of the road steps were 
taken for the establishment of a town. A station was built 
in 1854, and B. Stockwell was the first agent. He was later 
followed by N. L. Seever and John Parks. The same year 
a postoffice was established there and F. I. Barnard became 
the first postmaster. The first buildings were erected by the 
Central. Aside from these, William Crosley moved the first 
house to town from Greene township, and F. I. Barnard 
erected the first building. Thomas Enright established a 
boarding house, his patrons being principally railroad men. 
The first store was opened by William Crosley and Thomas 
Patterson in the fall of 1854. Steps were taken at an early 
date for the establishment of a town. It was i)latted for the 
Illinois Central, that owned the property on which the town 
was located. May 16th, 1855. The main streets were named 
for the common varieties of trees, such as Hickory, Walnut, 
Chestnut, Oak, Locust and Poplar. In 1855 James Dye 
opened a lumber yard and Henry Saltsman also opened his 
place of business the same year. The town grew rapidly, 
more business houses were erected and the people enjoyed 
an extensive trade. Among those who traded in Panola was 



222 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

the Ray family. John Ray still has in his possession a bill 
for goods purchased of Crosley and Lewis, bearing the date 
of 1854. One of the articles mentioned in the bill was a pair 
of glasses, which Mr. Ray still has in his possession. 

There was originally a turntable south of Pauohi and 
the engines took wood there. Michael Kelly had charge of 
wooding the locomotives, and Michael Klug looked after tli',' 
pumping. 

The first church organized was of the Baptist denomina- 
tion in 1857. It drew many of its members from tlie Willow 
Tree Baptist church, which bad been organized in Greene 
township a year earlier. This church prospered and in 1866 
a neat building was erected. In 1862 the United Brethren be- 
gan to hold services, and in 1875 they erected a church, 
northeast of Panola. This structure has in recent years fal- 
len into the hands of the Methodist Episcopal church, and 
is a part of the Gridley circuit. In 1909 they erected a new 
building at the cost of $5,000. The Evangelical church now 
has services in town, being served by the pastor of the Evan- 
gelical church at ElPaso. 

In 1856 the people of Panola suffered a serious disa])- 
pointment. They had expected that the Toledo, Peoria and 
Warsaw railroad would cross the Central there and great- 
ly increase the importance of the town by making it a rail- 
road junction. For some reason the road went two miles 
south of Panola, and the town never quite recovered from 
the effects of this disappointment. ElPaso reaped the bene- 
fits that Panola had hoped to receive. 

Kappa. 

Prior to the establishment of the present village of 
Kappa in 1854, there was a postoffice located a short distance 
south of the town as it is now^ located. This was on a mail 
route between Ottawa and Bloomington, and deliveries were 
made there twice a week. The first postmaster was Caleb 
Horn. When the Illinois Central railroad Avas built thru the 
township, the village was established where it now stands. 



TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. 228 

There were but few settlers in that vicinity at that time, and 
the location seemed especially promising for a town. It soon 
entered upon an era of prosperity that gave foundation for 
high hopes for its future greatness. These hopes were en- 
couraged by a rumor that a new railroad from Peoria east 
would cross the Central at Kappa. The town soon })ecame an 
important grain center. Farmers hauled grain for miles 
:\round to Kappa for shipment. Towns Avith railroad ac- 
commodations were widely scattered, and these drew grain 
from a wide territory. When the new railroad was built 
and the crossing with the Central was at ElPaso, that town 
^oon became a growing, prosperous village, while Kappa be- 
gan to lose the prestige it had gained. 

The first agent at this place was C. D. Cook, the father 
of John W. Cook, now president of the Northern Illi- 
nois Normal School, at DeKalb, and who enjoys a national 
leputation as an educator. After leaving Kappa Mr. Cook 
became prominent in the afiPairs of Illinois. lie was appoint- 
ed by the state to look after the collection of its war claims 
i! gainst the National government. He also had charge of a 
like commission from ]\Iissouri. 

J. W. Mann came from Boston to Kappa in March and 
was agent there for twenty years. lie at one time also bought 
grain and stock there. AVhen he gave up the agency, the Illi- 
nois Central Company gave him a lot on which his store now 
stands. 

Ira C. Stone, known far and wide as the oldest man in 
the county, came to Kappa from Buit'alo, New York, in 1859, 
with his wife, son and daughter. These have all since 
■ !ied and ^Ir. Stone now has no blood relative living. He has 
passed his ninety-ninth year, and bids fair to live beyond 
his one hundredth. On coming to Kappa he entered busi- 
ness and for many years conducted a general store and 
bought grain. The change from the city to the wild region to 
which they had come was very great yet they soon became 
accustomed to the new ways of the people in the west, as; 



224 HISTORY OP WOODFORD COUNTY. 




IRA C. STONE. 



Towns of ttie county. 225 

this was termed. Mr. Stone is remarkably well preserved for 
a man of his age, and his mind retains the vigor and activi- 
ty of a much younger man. He and his son, Eugene, were 
connected with the enterprises of that portion of Woodford 
county for many years. 

One of the first business men of Kappa was Asa Sparks, 
who kept a general stock of merchandise. He was preceded, 
however, by Mr. Reed, who was in turn preceded by a Cana- 
dian, who was the first business man in the village. 

Christian Schafer was another of the early business men 
of the town. He entered business and remained there until 
the business tides set in favor of ElPaso, when he removed 
to that place. He was very prosperous and at the time of his 
death was one of the wealthiest men in the county. 

About 1858 a German Lutheran church was formed, but- 
it was later transferred to ElFaso. In 1855 the M. E. class 
was organized and in 1874 a neat church was erected. The 
organization is a part of the Gridley charge. The Evangeli- 
cal church also holds services there, the two congregations 
meeting at different hours on the Sabbath day. The pastor 
of the Kappa church also preaches at the Centennial church 
in Palestine township. 

One of the more recent improvements is the introduc- 
tion of the rural telephone, with the central in the grain 
office. This has been in operation for about eight years, and 
has an extensive system of phones. 

In 1884 the village was organized under the general 
law. I. C. Stone was the first mayor of the village. The of- 
ficers at present are as follows : President, E. E. Crawford ; 
clerk, B. W. Porter, treasurer, J. C. McGraw ; trustees, C. D. 
Witt, Ed. S. Summers, B. D. McClure, H. II. McClure, Eu- 
gene Porter and W. M. Motherway. 

After the completion of the Central road, mail was 
carried from Kappa to Eureka, Spring Bay and intermedi- 
ate points, it being delivered twice a week. The building of 



226 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

other railroads soon took from the village its prestige in 
this line also. 

Low Point. 

Low Point was first established at a point over a half 
mile southwest of the present site of the village. It derived 
the name from a low point of timber land on the south fork 
of Richland creek. The postoffice v/as on the stage route 
from Chicago, which was at that time an important line of 
travel. The first postmaster v/as William Dodds. Later J. E. 
Dodds conducted a store there, and continued to do business 
at that point until 1871, when he removed his store to the 
present site of Low Point. He was postm:ister both before 
and after the removal of the office. A saw mill was put in 
operation in 1847, and did an extensive business. At that 
time goods w^ere hauled to and from Peoria, Spring Bay, 
Chillicothe and Lacon, these being the nearest markets and 
sources of supply. 

The completion of the railroad thru the township gave a 
new impetus to its growth and resulted in building up three 
towns along its line of road within the township of Caze- 
novia. 

As previously suggested the site of Low Point changed 
and it was laid out near the railroad. In 1871 D. H. Davi- 
son, who is surveyor at the present time, surveyed the town 
for James G. Bayne, who came to the county in 1846. One 
of the early enterprises of the town was a tile factory, first 
opened by John Pinkerton, but operated by his son, Oscar. 
Of late the plant has fallen into disuse and decay. 

The l)usiness interests of the town changed hands quite 
frequently. J. E. Dodds and F. M. Patton formed a partner- 
ship and erected one of the buildings now occupied by Banta 
Bros., and conducted a general store. Other names among 
the business records of the town are those of Charles and 
Joseph McCulloch, Smith and xVmsler. Finally the Inisiness 
interests of the town came into the hands of Banta Brothers 
& Company. This enterprising firm now controls the lum- 



TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. 



227 



Iter, grain, stock, implemt-nt, merchandise, grocery and bank- 
ing interests. They employ a large number of men and do 
an extensive business. This has made necessary new quar- 
ters and they are at present engaged on a large new building. 




There is a telephone exchange in connection with their other 
branches, and a number of country lines run into their cen- 
tral office. 

In 1848 the first school house was built, many years be- 
fore the founding of the town. The first teacher was Orson 
Cheedle. It was located on the outskirts of the town. In 
1905 a convenient brick school house was erected and high 
school M'ork was introduced under the principalship of Prof. 



^28 HISTORY OF WOODFOUD COUNTY. 

Harry Andrews. The building has two rooms equipped for 
school use. 

In 1851 a Methodist church was built there under the 
leadership of their pastor, and it was dedicated by Rev. J. 
S. Cummins, who was presiding elder at that time. The class 
had been previously organized, and held services for some 
time without the convenience of a church. 

Cazenovia. 

On the completion of the railroad thru the township, a 
second town sprang up within two miles of Low Point, nam- 
ed Cazenovia for the township. It was laid out for W. 0. 
Hammers and E. N. Farnsworth in 1870. The postoffice was 
at once established and W. 0. Hammers was the first post- 
master. John Hamilton, a brother of Mrs. Isaac Boys, was 
the first station agent. Wikoff & Bowen conducted the first 
grocery on the site of the Speas Bros, store building. Nick 
Bortman, of Metamora, started the first dry goods store in 
a building owned by E. N. Farnsworth, W. 0. Hammers and 
Richard Tanton. The first blacksmith shop was owned by 
a man named Kise. At the present time the large general 
store is conducted by Speas Bros. The hardware and imple- 
ment business is owned by Bachman Bros. The farmers in 
the vicinity of Cazenovia enjoy free telephone services. 
The county lines organized were among the first in that vi- 
cinity. They now have 15 of these running into their ex- 
change in Bachman Bros.' office, and have over 150 phones 
on the line. Both Bachman Bros, and Speas Bros, have 
large brick buildings that are both substantial and conveni- 
ent. 

In 1858 the first school was built. In 1907 a nevv^ and 
modern structure was erected. It is one story m neight and 
60 by 20 feet. The first church was built by the Baptist con- 
gregation in 1873, being dedicated the first Sunday in Janu- 
ary, 1874. The dedication sermon was delivered by Rev. C. 
D. Merit, of Fairbury, who is named in the, history of Mi- 
nonk as the founder of the Baptist church in that city. Rev. 
W. E. James was first pastor of the new church, and resid- 



TOWNS OP THE COUNTY. 



229 



ed in Washburn until April, 1874, when he moved to Caze- 
novia. The lot o-n which the church was built was donated 



> 

N 

Z 
O 
< 




by ]\lary A. Farnsworth. Since 1893 no services have been 
held in that church. Rev. Musser, of Metamora, was the last 
pastor. 

A second church was built after this by the Christian 
congregation. This pulpit has been supplied for a number 
of years by students from Eureka College. There is a union 
Sunday school with an enrollment of 25 or 30 pupils. 

Woodford, 

There is another grain station in Minonk township be- 
sides Minonk. In 1874 John Warren had the town of Wood- 



230 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

ford platted. It is located three miles south of Minonk, and 
a station was established with Jacob M. Holder as the first 
agent. The first store was opened by Henry Patton, who 
was also appointed the first postmaster. Six years ago the 
town suffered a fire that destroyed several business houses, 
including the postoffice. Since then the mail has been cared 
for in the grain office. The destroyed store buildings have 
never been rebuilt. The one store in town is conducted by 
Mr. Schlink. 

Goodfield and Congerville. 
In 1888 the village of Schrock and Guthville were sur- 
veyed, the former for Joseph Schrock, Januar}- 2nd, of that 
year, and the latter for John Guth, August 29th. The build- 
ing of the Lake Erie and Western railroad led to the estab- 




CONGERVILLE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL. 

lishraent of the above towns, and the opening of convenient 
markets in the southern part of the county. The names of 
the villages afterward became Congerville and Goodfield, 
respectively. 

The first postmaster at the former was Gus Naffzinger. 
The first business men were Gus Naffzinger and Marshall 
Bros., each of whom conducted a general store. The first 
grain dealer was J. F. Tol)ias and the present dealer, Leslie 
Reel. There are two churches, Luthera'U and Mennonite. The 



TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. 231 

pride of the village is their handsome school building which 
was erected at a cost of more than $10,000. 

The village of Goodfield is also in Montgomery town- 
ship. Shortly after its organization a store was opened by 
]\Ir. Zimmerman and Ilohiilin Bros, soon began their im- 
plement business. In 1891 a Baptist church was erected 
there and is still prosperous. It is a part of the Deer Creek 
charge. The same year a Methodist church was erected 
north of Goodfield, known as Galey chapel. Rev. A. 0. II. de 
la Gardie being pastor at the time. This has since been aban- 
doned and sold. A handsome brick school house has recent- 
ly been erected and two teachers are now employed. It was 
erected in 1907. Simon Naffzinger has become a prominent 
figure in the business and political life of Goodfield during 
recent years. 



CHAPTER XX. r;^ 

Miscellaneous. 

IN recent years tlie annual picnic of the Old Settlers' As- 
sociation has come to be very popular, and thousands of 
people attend the exercises given under the auspices of that 
organization each year. The pioneer hardships endured, 
serve to unite the early settlers thru the ties of common in- 
terest, and they gather jn great numbers to renew acquaint- 
anceships and exchange reminiscences of pioneer days. 
These gatherings are also a source of great interest to the 
younger generations. The stories of early struggles, endured 
with unflinching courage, awaken strong admiration in the 
hearts of those more favorably situated, as are the men of 
today. The programs presented consist of addresses and 
talks by men who have experienced some of the hardships 
of life in an undeveloped country. 

In 1874 the Old Settlers' Association was organized, 
and the year following the first meeting was held at Eureka. 
The following were the first offtcers chosen : President, John 
Summers ; vice-president, W. R. Willis ; secretary, R. N. Rad- 
ford; corresponding secretary, B. D. Meek; treasurer, P. II. 
Vance. The meeting of 1876 was held at Eureka July -Ith, 
and that of 1877 was at ]\Ietamora. The constitution at that 
time provided that any one who was a resident of the county 
at the time of its organization in 1841 could become a mem- 
ber. The association at its first meeting elected the follow- 
ing vice-presidents from the various townships : Montgom- 
ery, II. A. Robinson ; Metamora, John W. Page ; Cruger, 
M. E. Davidson; Palestine, L. P. Hereford; Panola, M. R. 

(232) 



MISCELLANEOUS. 233 

Bullock ; Greene, Thomas A. McCord ; Olio, Thomas Bullock, 
Sr. ; Worth, Charles Molitor ; Partridge, Lsaac Suyder ; Caze- 
novia, Jesse Hammers ; Clayton, Harvey Davison ; ElPaso, H. 
W. Bullock ; Kansas, A. W. Carlock ; Roanoke, Jacob Banta ; 
Spring Bay, Dr. J. G. Zeller ; Minonk, E. D. Davison. 

The list of the original members of the association can 
not be obtained, but from other sources a few of the names 
of members have been secured. In addition* to the above 
Tiamed officers were the following: Adino Page, W. C. Wat- 
kins, Zadock Hall, D. Kindig, AV. Lamson, George Arrow- 
smith, Thomas Clark, A¥m. H. Delph, Benj. Grove, John 
Warren, Abner Mundell, Simeon jMundell, Jesse Hammers, 
Samuel Mimdell, W. Drennen, John Tanton, Richard Tan- 
ton, Thaddeus Page. N. Dutton, W. P. Brown, D. D. Fair- 
child, L. P. Morse, J. G. Bayne, Joseph Morley, J. S. Whit- 
Jtiire, Henry Martin, B. J. Radford. 

The association was not maintained with unimpaired 
regularity. For a time its meetings were abandoned, and in 
1891 a meeting was held in ElPaso for the purpose of reor- 
ganizing the association. A new constitution was adopted 
and the requirements for membership were changed. It is 
riow asked that an applicant for membership be over 50 years 
of age and that he has lived in the county at least 35 years. 
The meetings in 1891 and '92 were held at ElPaso, 1893, '94, 
'95, '96, '97, '98, '99, and 1900 at the camp ground in Eu- 
reka. In 1901 the meeting was held at Metamora and that 
city was chosen as the permanent home of the association. 
The following have served as presidents of the organization 
in the order in which they are given. Presidents : Samuel 
Stitt, F. D. Learned, W. M. Bullock, S. H. McClure, J. H. 
Reeder, E. S. Fursman, B. J. Radford, James W.Pleasant, 
M. W. Wilson and John L. McGuire. E. W. Dickinson has 
served as secretary-treasurer for a number of years. The 
records of this association bring to mind the names of many 
settlers not previously mentioned. 

One of these pioneers who came to this county at an 



234 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

early date was Jehu Hinshaw. His father, George HinshaW, 
came to Blooming Grove, near the present site of Blooming- 
ton, in 1827. There was no town there at the time of his 
coming. In 1840 he moved to Kansas township, J. D. 
Franklin coming at the same time. Dolphus Hinshaw, who 
now resides in Eureka, is the son of Jehu Hinshaw and has 
many interesting memories of pioneers experiences. The 
prairies were wild and unbroken. His father was one of the 
settlers that marked the roads between East White Oak 
Grove and Bloomington. This was twelve miles in length 
and did not follow any direct line, but wound around, the 
highest ground being chosen, as it was less likely to become 
swampy or to be covered by ponds. The road was marked 
by plowing a furrow on each side of it with a prairie plow 
and ox team. Much time was spent in hunting in those days 
and Jehu Hinshaw, AVinton Carlock, Zachary Brown and 
Isaac Allen spent many a day in the pleasures of the 
hunt. Deer were very plentiful- and these were the 
hunter's coveted prize. Many of them were quite gentle and 
would come up to the houses. On one occasion a deer came 
up to the fence that surrounded Mr. Hinshaw 's yard and 
looked over the fence. Mrs. Hinshaw shot at it, but failed 
to bring it down. The only apparent result was that it 
tossed its head and ran away. 

The last few years of the life of this pioneer were spent 
at Eureka, where his death occurred at the advanced age of 
86 years. 

In 1856 Andrew Tomb came to Woodford county and 
settled in the vicinity of Eureka. Mrs. Tomb remembers 
when the postoffice, grocery and dry goods store were all in 
a single small building. She also recalls many of the great 
changes that have occurred since that time. Several of tlie 
members of this family have been widely known' in the 
county. Andrew C. and John C. Tomb are each of them 
well known in a business way. The former conducts an ex- 
tensive poultry business, and the latter was at one time 



MISCELLANEOUS. 235 

connected with him, but he has recently moved to th(i Jiorae 
farm, northwest of Eureka. Other childicti are Jamos, Mary 
and William Tomb. 

Much earlier than this, Matthew Tomb, a brother of 
Andrew, came to this county and settled. His family ex- 
perienced many of the pioneer hardships. Of the members 
of this home, but one remains, John W. Tomb. Another son, 
A. J. Toml), was a resident of Eureka for a number of years, 
but at the time of his death was a resident of Peoria. 

Another jMatthew Tomb, a cousin of Andrew and Mat- 
thew Tomb previously referred to, came thru from Ohio in 
1855, as was usually the case they made the trip across the 
states in wagons, and naturally met with many hindrances 
on the way. lie was the father of a niunber of children, who 
have since become widely known thruout the county. R. D., 
John and Smith Toml:) are sons, while Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Ed. 
IMoore and Mrs. Grant are daughters. 

Two other pioneers are Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kennell, 
each of whom were born in the county. Christian Kennell, 
the father of Peter, came to Woodford county from Prance 
in 1842, and settled in Worth township. His death occurred 
in Metamora about 18 years ago. Other members of this 
family are (Christian and Jose}>h Camp. Mrs. Kennell 's 
father, De))o]t llousholter, Sr., came here from the border- 
land of France, having first stopped in Pittsl)urg a short 
time. The family settled in Worth township al)out 1846. 
Of the meml)ers of this family still residing in Woodford 
county are Del)olt llousliolter, Jr., Mrs. Joseph Camp and 
Mrs. Christian Risser. 

James Finley came to Woodford county in 1836 and set- 
tled in what was then known as Walnut Grove. He came to 
Woodford county from Cecil county, Maryland, and built a 
log cabin near the present site of the college campus in Eu- 
reka. He, together with the Meeks, Radfords, Davidsons, 
Majors, Dickinsons and Oatmans, was among the early set- 
tlers of that region. The family later moved to Versailles 



236 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

and finally moved onto a square section on the Mackinaw 
river, there Shelby M. Culloni broke prairie for them in 1850. 
The parents of Senator Cullom came to Illinois while it was 
still a new state and settled near the borders of Woodford 
county. Here the childhood of the present senator was 
spent, and he experienced many pioneer hardships. He 
broke a great deal of prairie land, and was employed l)y j\Ir. 
Finley in this task. An ox team was used in breaking the 
prairies. Samuel Finley, one of his sons, was a well known 
figure in the county for many years. He grew up witli a 
great love of the woods and was never so happy as when 
on a hunting trip. He provided game for the table, and 
made a practice of selling game and furs. During the years 
when Mr. Finley was an active hunter, he killed more than 
three hundred deer. In one day he brought down four of 
these animals. He killed three one morning before break- 
fast, and on one occasion killed two bucks with one shot 
from his rifle. He bagged more than three hundred wild 
turkey the largest of which weighed over thirty pounds. 
On one occasion he and his brother got eighty-seven prairie 
chickens in about eight hours wnth rifles. Foxes, wolves, 
raccoons, opossums and many other varieties of game fell 
before the rifle of this sturdy hunter. Mrs. Samuel Finley 
also came from a pioneer family, her maiden name being 
Laytin. The family settled in Tazewell county near the set- 
tlement made by the Culloms and Smalls. As was custom- 
ary in those days, she spent many a day in the harvest 
field, and she was accustomed to spin and weave, as were 
most of the housewives of pioneer days. 

J. C. Finley of Eureka is a grandson of James Finley, 
the pioneer. Charles Finley is another of the descendants 
of this settler. 

Among other well known names are those of the Bru- 
bakers of Eureka. In the early days of the development of 
the county Benjamin Briibaker came here from Ohio. As 
was customary the journey was made across country in 
covered wagons, about two months being consumed in the 



MISCELLANEOUS. 237 

trip. They first came to the state with the intention of set- 
tling in the vicinity of Rockford and Mr. BruJDaker started 
out on horseback to go to that place to select a farm. Before 
travelmg a great distance he came up with a man, who was 
walking. He dismounted and walked a distance with him 
and was told of a farm for sale just west of the present site 
of Eureka. Instead of continuing his journey, Mr. Brubaker 
turned back, visited the farm and purchased it. Tlie family 
retained possession of it until about 1876. It is now known 
as the H. K. Swisher farm. Seven children came with their 
parents to this county, and of this number but two remain 
m the county, Peter and David Brubaker, both of Eureka 
I^'our members of this family enlisted in the Union army, 
Peter and David being among the number. Among the 
younger generation are a number of well known men 
among them being W. II. Brubaker, a prominent business 
man of Benson. 

Christopher Roth came to America in 1844, and first set- 
tled in Texas. He remained there but a short time and 
moved north. He finally came to Illinois about 1847 and 
settled m the vicinity of Metamora. But one representative 
of the family is still a resident of the county: Jacob Roth 
for many years a well known business man of the county. 

F. F. Briggs, for many years a prominent figure in the 
business circles of Metamora, came to Illinois in 1851 and 
soon embarked in the undertaking business in the county 
seat. He was a man who was very accurate in keeping his 
books, and he had a record of funerals conducted during 
a half century of business life. Several members of this 
family continue to reside in the county. 

One of England's contributions to the growth of Wood 
ford county was Thomas Whorrall, who came to Metamora 
at an early date. He was a prominent member of the church 
and frequently filled the pulpit in various churches of the 
Methodist denomination of which he was a member. He oc- 
cupied the farm and met with success in his chosen field of 



238 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

labor. A iiuiuber of years ago he removed to Iowa and set- 
tled in Grundy county. Other members of the family locat- 
ed in that state, and they prospered in their new home 
Since going to Iowa both Mr. and Mrs. Whorrall have died. 
They have four sons there now, E. E. and Joseph Whorrall, 
of Beaman ; James and William Whorrall, of Conrad. Rev. 
(^harles Whorrall, whose burial recently occurred at Wash- 
burn, was another son of this estimable couple, lie was 
prominent as a minister of the Presbyterian church. 

The llamuuu's family has been identified with the his- 
tory of the country now known as Woodford county since 
A. D. 1885, at which time Jesse Hammers came witli his fam- 
ily from Greene county, Pennsylvania, to what was at that 
time a part of Tazewell county and settled just west of the 
present village of Cazenovia, in the edge of the Illinois river 
timber, the greater part of his farm lying on the prairie ad- 
joining the timber. His father-in-law, Isaac Buckingham, 
and kis brother-in-law , James Boys, who was one of the first 
county commissioners of Woodford county, having come 
from Pennsylvania and settled in the same neighborhood a 
year or two prior to his coming. 

Jesse Hammers lived on the farm where he first settled 
all the rest of his life and died there in 1880. He was always 
interested in the development of the new country and did 
much personally to advance its agricidtural, horticultural 
and live stock interests. He encouraged the development of 
the educational and religious interests of the community and 
did his share towards the estalilishrnent of schools 
and churches. He also assisted in the organization 
of the county fair held for many years at Meta- 
mora and was for some time president of that 
organization. He was the first breeder of Short Horn 
cattle in the county, a business which his son-in-law, 
H[on. P. A. Coen, afterwards also carried on very successful- 
ly. At his death he left surviving him his widow, Ruah 
Hammers, who has since died, and his children Joseph S. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 239 

Haininers, JMorgau B. llauimers, James A. Hammers and 
AVilliam 0. Hammers. 

Joseph S. Hammers came with his father, Jesse 
Hammers, to the country, afterwards Woodford county, in 
1885 when he was but two years of age. In 1856 he was 
elected county surveyor and served in that capacity four 
years. In 1857 he settled on a farm in Greene township, upon 
which farm he resided until his death, which occurred in 
1898. He was a successful farmer and stockman and a promi- 
nent breeder of short-horn cattle. He left surviving him his 
widow, Eleanor Hannners, and his children, Isaac B. Ham- 
mers, Laura II. Nelson, Charles II, Hammers, Lewis J. Ham- 
mers, James R. Hammers and William E. Hammers all of 
whom still reside in the county except Laura H. Nelson, who 
resides at Ainsworth, Iowa, and Lewis J. Hammers who is 
a i)rominent doctor at Lexington, Illinois. 

Isaac B. Hammers is an attorney at El Paso, Illinois, and 
represented this senatorial district in the 39th and 40th 
General Assemblies. 

Morgan B. Hammers settled in Greene township and 
resided there until his death in 1882. He left surviving him 
Rosa B. Hammers, his widow and his children, Ella B. Ham- 
mers, Lillian Hammers, Jesse Hammers, Morgan Hammers 
and Edna Hammers. 

James A. Hammers at the beginning of the civil war 
enlisted as a private in the 77th Regiment Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry and served three years and re-enlisted and was 
mustered out as orderly sargeant, his rank having been con- 
ferred upon him for bravery in action. After the close of 
the war he settled on a farm which was part of the original 
homestead of Jesse Hammers where he resided until 1878, in 
which year he went to Anthony, Kansas, and now resides in 
Los Angeles, California. 

AVilliam 0. Hammers at the breaking out of the civil 
war enlisted in the 77th Regiment Illinois Volunteer In- 
i'antry and was chosen Lieutenant of his company. He re^ 



240 



HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 



mained in the active service for about two years when his 
health failed and he resigned and came home to recover his 
health. After some time he re-entered Chicago University 
and was in due course graduated from that school. He lo- 
cated on the farm where Cazenovia now stands and lived 
there until 1878. He now resides at Eunice, La, 

About 1850 Joseph 
Hammers, father of 
Jesse Hammers and 
James Hammers, Joseph 
T. Hammers and his sis- 
ter, Mary Myers, with 
their families came out 
from Pennsylvania and 
settled in Greene town- 
ship i n Woodford 
county, where Joseph 
Hammers and his wife 
died. Mary Myers after- 
wards removed to Pano- 
la in said county and 
died there about 1880. 
Joseph T. Hammers, 
James Hammers and 
Samuel Hammers all re- 
moved from the county in 1874 or prior to that date and for 
many years lived at or near Clearwater, Kansas, at which 
place the most of their children still reside. 

The county has profited by coming in touch with the 
Hammers family as they one and all have been good citizens 
and patriotic, progressive, high-minded men. 

The Woodford County Agricultural Association of 
which Jesse Hammers was one of the organizers was form- 
ed in 1858. Its object was to hold an annual fair at Meta- 
mora. The following were the officers : President, Jesse 
Hammers ; vice-president, Charles Rich ; secretary, II. L. S. 
Haskell ; treasurer, John W. Page ; directors, Hotace Hazen, 




JOHN LEYS. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 241 

George Ray and John J. Perry. While the fair was a great 
success in other ways, it was not a success financially and 
was abandoned in 1870. 

One of the most familiar figures in connection with of- 
ficial affairs of the county was that of John Leys. For 
thirty-one years he was either a deputy or official in the ser- 
vice of Woodford county, and was as well versed in the 
duties of the various positions that he filled as any one in 
this portion of Illinois. 

He was born in Burges, Belgium, March 21st, 1837, and 
his early education was gained while living there. He later 
attended the Antwerp Naval school and spent some years as 
a sailor and received a certificate of navigation from the 
French government. In 1857 he came to Chicago and from 
there came to Woodford county. Later he removed to Mc- 
Lean county. He enlisted in Company C of the 33rd In- 
fantry, August 15th, 1861, at Bloomington. 

On the day of his return from the war, he was married 
to Miss Ann Taylor. Six children were born to this union, of 
whom Edna L. Evey, Anna L. Hodgson, J. H. and J. Albert 
Leys, still survive. 

The newly married couple settled in Kansas township 
and remained there until 1874, when Mr. Leys was appoint- 
ed deputy county clerk. He served as deputy until 1886, 
when he was elected county clerk. After one term he again 
became deputy, and served until 1894, when he was appoint- 
ed to fill the unexpired terra of T. A. Iluxtable. His death 
occurred at Eureka, December 1st, 1905, having been in the 
service of the county thirty-one years. 

James Shields, Sr., came to Clayton township at an 
early date in its development and purchased the farm now 
occupied by his son, John Shields. It was bought from the 
Illinois Central, which had secured it directly from the gov- 
ernment as a part of the grant received to aid in the con- 
struction of the road. Of this family James and John Shields 
reside in the county, as do also two daughters, Mrs. Charles 
Hofi'raan and Mrs. Frank Bentfeld. 



242 



HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 



Allen Hart was born in Westchester county, New York, 
in 1803. He came to Hudson, 111., in 1836, and moved to 

what is now the Hart 
homestead in Palestine 
township in 1837, having 
purchased the property 
from the IJ. S. govern- 
ment. He was a member 
of the first jury tliat e/e? 
tried a case in Woodford 
county. This case wis 
heard at the April term of 
the circuit court at Yev- 
sailles, in 1842 and was en- 
titled: "The Peo])le, etc. 
vs Jos. L. Gardner, in- 
dictment for attempt to do 
bodily injury." The ver- 
dict was guilty, and Gard- 
One of the attorneys in the 
case was Al)raham Lincoln. In 1850 when Palestine town- 
ship (which then included ElPaso township) was organized, 
Mr. Hart was elected supervisor, which office he held for 
several terms. He was the first passenger to land at Kappa 
from a passenger train, having returned from a visit to New 
York just in time to get on board the first passe^nger train 
that ever passed through Kappa, which was in 1854. Mr. 
Hart died in 1879 very suddenly of heart disease. He was 
a pleasant and very popular gentleman and his family are 
all highly respected. A son, John Hart, and Mrs. Judge 
Kennedy and his grand-children. Circuit Clerk Louis Van 
Alstine and Mrs. Wm. A. VanAlstine, still reside in Wood- 
ford county. Attorney Harvey Hart and Dr. Ed Hart with 
their two sisters and mother reside in Bloomington. Wilson 
A. Hart is in the banking and abstracting business at La 
Jaunta, Colorado, 




LOUIS H. VAN ALSTINE. 

ner was fined $30 and costs. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



243 



Mrs. Nancy Kirk one of the oldest residents of Minonk 
was horn in Ireland in 1819. She came to America in 1845 
and two years later she was married to William Kirk. She 
has nine children living; Wm. Kirk, of Woodford; Mrs. S. 
A. IIilsal)eck, Minonk; Samuel Kirk, Iowa City; Mrs. J. C. 
Ilils-ibeck, Hastings, Nel). ; Mrs. C. A. Trunk,' Chatsworth, 
Matthew Kirk, Minonk; Mrs. Anna Kindig, Burlington; Mrs. 
M. T. Ileith, Chicago, and James S. Kirk, Minonk. 

The Oldest Woman. 

Tlie oldest woman in 
the county is Mrs. Volke 
Uphoii', who was born 
in Riepe, Germany, in 
1811. If she lives until 
June 4th, 1910, she will 
have reached her 99th 
year. She was the wife 
of Wait Uphoff, whose 
death occurred a num- 
ber of years ago. They 
came to America in 1855 
and remained in Peoria 
two years. They then 
came to Clayton towai- 
ship and settled on the 
farm in 1857. The 
country was then wild 
and almost unsettled, 
MRS. NANCY KIRK. while the broad prairies 

were unbi-okc^]. They sult'ered the usual hardships connect- 
ed Avith pioneer life, but in spite of it all they prospered. 

^Irs. [Jpholf ha'^' many descendants, who hope to see her 
pass the century mark and live far beyond it. The children 
are B. AV., Adam W., J. W., Bartlett W. UphofiE and Mrs. 
Giles. There are forty-two grand-children and sixty-eight 




244 



HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 



great grand-children. The subject of our sketch now re- 
sides in Benson, where she enjo.ys excellent health for one 
of her advanced age. 




VOLKE UPHOFF. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 245 

The Law. 

In the early days of the county, attoi-neys were rarely 
seen within its borders, but as the country became more 
thickly settled, the demand for the services of the exponents 
of the law became more and more pressing. It was not, 
however, until after the organization of the county that a 
lawyer became a resident within its borders. The attorneys 
of those days drove great distances to ajjpear before the 
court, and it was no uncommon occurrence for oae to drive 
from Springfield to plead a cause in Woodford county. The 
attorneys present at the first session of court at Versailles 
included a number who afterward gained wide reputations 
as attorneys and politicians. Among these were Abraham 
Lincoln, John T. Staurt and Stephen T. Logan. The former 
had already given promise of future greatness, altho no one 
foretold for him the great career that he later made. He 
had been in the state legislature and had made something of a 
reputation as a public speaker. He was more famous as a 
story teller at that time than for any other talent. He had 
just closed his partnership with John T. Staurt, who had 
been elected in 1837 over Stephen A. Douglas as a mernber 
of congress ; and had formed partnership with Judge 
Stephen T. Logan, one of the ablest lawyers in the state. 
This group of attorneys was alone sufficient to make this 
session of court famous as a gathering of great men, but 
there were others there whose names have been justly record- 
ed in the hearts of the people as truly great men There 
was the gallant Col. Ed. D. Baker, justly famed as the silver 
tongued Baker. David Davis, noted for his broad ir. ind and 
sound judgment, while John J. Harding and A. Gridley 
were among the others present. There was the greatest 
spirit of good fellowship among them and there was an 
absence of that disposition of abuse that is now occasio-nally 
witnessed in court. The first licensed attorney was John B. 
Holland. He became well known in the county, and served 
as probate justice for several years. Other familiar names 



246 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 

among the attorneys of an early day were tliose of C. II. 
Chitty, A. E. Stevenson, S. P. Shope, J. A. Hriggs, C. H. Rad- 
ford, B. D. Meek, Robert T. Cassell and others 

Medicine. 

The first physician in the county was Dr. Ilazzard, who 
settled in Germantown in 1836. There had been others, such 
as Ben Major, who were skilled in the use of medicine but 
there were none prior to that time who devoted themselves 
exclusively to the practice of a physician. Dr. A. Reynolds 
was a pioneer physician at Bowling Green. J. S. Whitmire 
came to Metamora in 1847 and was for many years a well 
known figure among the members of the medical fraternity. 
Few among the early settlers who were not acquainted with 
his name, which was a household word among them. He 
associated with him in his practice, Dr. Z. II. Whitmire. An- 
other well known figure was that of Dr. Tweddale, of Wash- 
burn, wIj-o for many years was a successful practitioner in the 
county. Dr. Wilcox at Minonk was for many years a leadei 
in the professional and political life of the county. He has 
l)een succeeded by his son, who is a very successful phy- 
sician. Dr. Lichtenberger was another prominent doctor. 
His son, N. C. Lichtenberger, still resides in Eureka, where 
his father practiced. Other well known names are Drs. 
('rawford, Rosenberg, Slemmons, Schiffbauer, Tribbey and 
John. 

In 1870 the Woodford County Medical Association was 
organized and semi-annual meetings are now held. 

Historical Society. 

Another organization that has a growing membership is 
that of the AVoodford County Historical Association. It 
was formed in December, 1903, and holds its meetings semi- 
annually. The purpose of the society is to collect historical 
data and to keep it in a manner that will make it of service 
in supplying a complete record of matters pertaining to the 
growth and development of the county. The following are 
officers: President, L. J. Freese; vice-president, Isaac B. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



247 






13' 

I— I 

B 



Q 

o 

(0 
c-»- 

o 



o 
p. 




248 



HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY. 



Hammers ; secretary, Miss Amanda Jennings ; treasurer, 
Amos Marshall. The association gives promise of great 
usefulness. 

A Sad Accident. 
One of the most serious accidents that ever occurred in 
Eureka was that in which W. E. Wyrick, city marshal, lost 

his life. It was his custom 
to look after the pumping 
for the city water works, 
and went down to the 
plant early Tuesday 
morni'ng, October 12th. 
He had been there but a 
short time when the muf- 
tier of the gasoline engine 
exploded and he was so 
seriously injured that his 
death occurred in a short 
time. He succeeded in 
dragging himself a short 
distance from the pump- 
ing station, and attracted 
the attention of the people 
of the vicinity by calling 
for assistance. Aid was of no avail. He died at 7 :15 A. M. 
He was born in Pennsylvania, October 12th, 1868, and was 
married to Miss Minnie Brandt in this city. He was a mem- 
ber of the K-nights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen, and 
had made a splendid record as city marshal. 




W. E. WYRICK, 



/ 



One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



fEB 23 I8H' 



